Filed under: Other Sports
Jockey AP McCoy was named the BBC 2010 Sports Personality of the Year - but the real star of the show at Birmingham's LG Arena was a teary-eyed David Beckham. The Northern Irishman, triumphant at this year's Grand National, beat darts world champion Phil Taylor into second place for the much-coveted title in front of a record audience of over 12,000 people, with heptathlete Jessica Ennis finishing third.
He was presented with the award by former England cricket star Andrew Flintoff and Arsenal ace Cesc Fabregas after the public cast their votes during this evening's live programme.
The prestigious gong capped a fine year for 36-year-old McCoy, the greatest jump jockey in history, after he finally won the National at the 15th attempt.
He has been champion jockey a record 15 times in a row and has ridden over 3000 winners.
But, with global galactico and national darling Beckham having already scooped the Lifetime Achievement Award, it was always going to be a hard act to follow.
Looking typically sharp, suave and sophisticated in a dark suit and accompanied by wife Victoria and his three sons, Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Beckham brought some Hollywood glamour to the occasion and the rousing reception awarded him by the audience easily outshone that reserved for the winner.
With a tear in his eye, the 35-year-old ex-Manchester United and Real Madrid star received his award, which was in recognition of his contribution to football, from two other Old Trafford greats, Sir Bobby Charlton and last year's Sports Personality of the Year winner Ryan Giggs.
Poor McCoy never stood a chance.
Let's face it, no other sportsman on the planet quite holds the appeal of Beckham. He is to sport what Barack Obama is to politics and Brad Pitt is to the movie industry.
With some forgettable failures for the Three Lions fresher in the memory, Beckham's achievements at Old Trafford during the late nineties and early noughties can't be overlooked.
Six Premier League titles, two FA Cup medals and a Champions League is certainly no mean feat, nor is the La Liga Championship and Spanish Super Cup he won at Real.
He is also the only English player to have scored in three consecutive World Cup finals.
Beckham, Sports Personality winner in 2001, said: "I am truly humbled. To receive an award for something I love doing and always have loved doing.
"To receive it from Sir Bobby Charlton I am truly honoured. Obviously football is a team game and I've had great support from the teams, players and support I've had over the years. I wouldn't be here today without that.
"I've played for some of the great teams over the years - Preston North End, Manchester United, Real Madrid, AC Milan and LA Galaxy.
"And of course playing for England has always been one of the highlights of my career.
"For me I've played under the best manager in football, Sir Alex Ferguson, a man I still regard as a father figure after so many years.
"Thank you to everyone for their support over the years and, of course, my wife Victoria and three sons. She is an inspiration to me every day.
"This year I went to Afghanistan and saw the work they do. Day in day out they risk their lives to make our country better and I'd like to dedicate this award to them."
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