Andy Murray wins BBC Sports Personality of the Year

Britain’s number one tennis player and new Davis Cup champion secured the most votes over Rugby League player Kevin Sinfield and heptathlete Jessica Ennis-Hill

Andy Murray is the 2015 BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

The tennis player and recent Davis Cup champion received the most votes from the public, lifting the trophy ahead of runner-up Rugby League star Kevin Sinfield and World Champion heptathlete Jessica Ennis who finished in third.

“Thank you very much. I didn’t expect this,” Murray told an audience at the SSE Arena in Belfast during a ceremony attended by fellow nominees Greg Rutherford, Lizzie Armitstead, Max Whitlock and Tyson Fury.

“A friend sent me a message the other day with an article saying, ‘Andy Murray is duller than a weekend in Worthing,’ which I thought was a bit harsh… on Worthing,” he joked. “Congratulations to everyone who was involved tonight.

“This has been a five-year journey – we were down in the bottom level of tennis and now we’re number one.

“I would like to thank the whole team and the staff, who were incredible. I would like to thank my wife and my family and everyone who voted for – I dedicate my life to this sport and I work extremely hard every day to make you proud.”

Murray’s mother Judy and brother Jamie were both present at the ceremony but wife Kim – who is expecting the couple’s first child in a few weeks’ time – stayed at home.

And the winner is…. @andy_murray @BBCSPOTY #spoty #SPOTY2015 @love_belfast pic.twitter.com/HyFY6yqEDi

— 🌐TweetBelfast ❂ (@TweetBelfast) December 20, 2015