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Vegan athlete Lewis Hamilton has won BBC Sports Personality of the Year for the second time.
The Formula One champ first picked up the prestigious SPOTY award in 2014.
He is the fifth person to score the accolade more than once. Other multiple winners include fellow Formula One veterans Nigel Mansell and Damon Hill.
Lewis Hamilton Sports Personality of the Year
Hamilton, who was the favorite to scoop the gong after an extremely successful year, gave a speech from his home.
“Congratulations to all the new incredible nominees,” he said. “I’m so proud of what they have achieved this year and I really want to say thank you to everyone who has called in and voted for me.
“I really wasn’t expecting this, knowing there was so many great contenders, but I think we’re all winners.”
‘Really proud’
Outspoken vegan Lewis Hamilton said he was ‘really proud’ to be ‘among some iconic heroes’ – adding that he wasn’t expecting to win the award as there were ‘so many great contenders’ for it.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the BBC canceled its usual event, instead hosting a virtual audience.
In his winner’s speech, the athlete described the situation as ‘abnormal’, saying: “Your heart’s pumping in those last few seconds when they’re announcing because you have absolutely no idea.
“It’s been such an unusual year and doing this remotely through a laptop standing in front of Christmas tree, the whole thing just felt abnormal.”
‘So grateful’
He added: “But I am so, so grateful to the British public. It’s been a long journey together. I will continue to do my part to represent the country in the best way I can.
“I don’t do what I love doing for recognition, but when it’s received, it’s greatly appreciated. This definitely goes a long way to giving me the best Christmas that I can have given the circumstances.”
Hamilton concluded by giving a message of encouragement to young viewers, saying: “I will continue to try and do my part representing the country in the best way I can and please everyone out there, go out and follow your dreams, to all the kids – please, never give up on yourself, continue to believe in yourself, because you have what it takes to be great.”
