Durham and England ace Ben Stokes crowned BBC's Sports Personality of the Year

Durham and England cricketer Ben Stokes ended a sensational 2019 by claiming the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year prize and promptly thanked those who had helped him through a 2018 to forget.
Richard Mennear
By Richard Mennear
Published 16th Dec 2019, 10:26 BST
Updated 16th Dec 2019, 10:26 BST
Ben Stokes poses with The BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award.Ben Stokes poses with The BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award.
Ben Stokes poses with The BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award.

Stokes' sizzling summer performances in the World Cup final and the third Ashes Test helped him seal the public vote for the prestigious award, ahead of six-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton and world 200 metres champion Dina Asher-Smith at Sunday's ceremony in Aberdeen.

The 28-year-old held his nerve as England triumphed in a Super Over to win the Cricket World Cup in July, and just over a month later his glorious unbeaten 135 at Headingley won the third Ashes Test for England.

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Stokes' story is one of redemption. In 2018 he was cleared of affray charges following an incident outside a Bristol nightclub in September of the previous year, and on Sunday night he acknowledged the help he had received from those close to him in overcoming that low point.

"Two years ago was a tough time for me in my life. I've had so many people help me through that," he said as he accepted the award on stage.

"My fantastic manager and friend Neil Fairbrother is here tonight. You are more than an agent as you get called these days. You're an incredible human being and an incredible man.

"I literally don't know how you've put up with Andrew Flintoff to start with and then me!"

Related topics:Ben StokesEnglandBBCDurhamLewis HamiltonDina Asher-SmithHeadingleyAberdeen