Joy for Tony McCoy with BBC award win

Tony McCoy last night became the first jockey to be named the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year in the 57 years of the award.

The 36-year-old from Northern Ireland - also known as 'AP' - beat darts champion Phil Taylor and heptathlete Jessica Ennis to take the award, which was decided by a public vote.

McCoy's Grand National triumph on Don't Push It earlier this year came on his 15th attempt at the race, and he has ridden 3,383 winners. He has also suffered more than 700 falls and suffered numerous broken bones and injuries.

Colin Montgomerie was named coach of the year for his Ryder Cup success, beating Blackpool manager Ian Holloway and England cricket coach Andy Flower to the award, and the Scot shared in the team of the year award, which was won by the European Ryder Cup team.

Tennis star Rafael Nadal won the overseas sports personality prize, diver Tom Daley was named young sports personality for the third time, David Beckham won the lifetime achievement award for his contribution to football, and Formula 1 team manager Sir Frank Williams received the Helen Rollason Award "for outstanding achievement in the face of adversity".