Bradley Wiggins ended a glorious 12 months by winning the BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
The Tour de France and Olympic road race winner finished ahead of Jessica Ennis in second and Andy Murray in the public vote.
Wiggins becomes the second cyclist to win the award in succession after Mark Cavendish's victory last year.
The 32-year-old first came to prominence at the 2004 Athens Olympics in the velodrome when he took gold in the 4km individual pursuit. The Lancashire-based Tour winner followed took two more golds on the track at the Beijing Games in 2008.
He is now the joint record holder of individual medals at the Olympics in Team GB's history, along with five-time Gold medal rower Sir Steve Redgrave.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
Winner of Sports Personality of the Year 2012, Bradley Wiggins with David Beckham (left) and The Duchess of Cambridge during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL Arena, London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
Winner of Sports Personality of the Year 2012, Bradley Wiggins during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL Arena, London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
Idris Elba performs on stage during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL Arena, London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
Members of Team GB and Paralympic GB, Victoria Pendleton (left) Jonnie Peacock and Louis Smith (right) accept the Award for winner of team of the year which went to Team GB and Paralympic GB during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL Arena, London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
Members of Team GB and Paralympic GB, Victoria Pendleton (left) and Jonnie Peacock accept the Award for winner of team of the year which went to Team GB and Paralympic GB during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL Arena, London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
Second placed Sports Personality of the Year 2012, Jessica Ennis during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL Arena, London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
Winner of Sports Personality of the Year 2012, Bradley Wiggins during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL Arena, London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
Winner of Sports Personality of the Year 2012, Bradley Wiggins (centre) accepts his award onstage from The Duchess of Cambridge (left) during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL Arena, London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
The Duchess of Cambridge (left) and David Beckham during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
The Duchess of Cambridge (left) and David Beckham during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
Winner of Sports Personality of the Year 2012, Bradley Wiggins during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL Arena, London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
Winner of Sports Personality of the Year 2012, Bradley Wiggins during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL Arena, London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
The Duchess of Cambridge walks out to present Lord Sebastian Coe with the Lifetime Achievement Award during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL Arena, London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
The Duchess of Cambridge (left) and David Beckham during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
The Duchess of Cambridge presents Lord Sebastian Coe with the Lifetime Achievement Award during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL Arena, London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
The Duchess of Cambridge (left) and Jessica Ennis with her Second placed Sports Personality of the Year 2012 award during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
Winner of Sports Personality of the Year 2012, Bradley Wiggins gives his victory speech during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL Arena, London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
Winner of Overseas Sports Personality of the Year 2012, Usain Bolt is seen via video link on the large screen during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL Arena, London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
Lord Sebastian Coe speaks during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
Winner of Sports Personality of the Year 2012, Bradley Wiggins kisses the trophy during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL Arena, London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
The Duchess of Cambridge (left) and David Beckham during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
Second placed Sports Personality of the Year 2012, Jessica Ennis receives her award from the The Duchess of Cambridge (right) during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL Arena, London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
The Duchess of Cambridge presents Lord Sebastian Coe with the Lifetime Achievement Award during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
Winner of Sports Personality of the Year 2012, Bradley Wiggins gives his victory speech watched by The Duchess of Cambridge during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL Arena, London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
Third placed Sports Personality of the Year 2012, Andy Murray is seen on videolink accepting his award from Lennox Lewis (left) during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL Arena, London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
David Beckham during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
Winner of Sports Personality of the Year 2012, Bradley Wiggins (second left) gives his victory speech watched by The Duchess of Cambridge and Second placed Sports Personality of the Year 2012, Jessica Ennis (right) during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL Arena, London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
Sir Steve Redgrave (centre left) and Steve Cram (right) embrace Lord Sebastian Coe during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
David Brailsford speaks during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
Second placed Sports Personality of the Year 2012, Jessica Ennis with her award during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL Arena, London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
Second placed Sports Personality of the Year 2012, Jessica Ennis with The Duchess of Cambridge (left) during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL Arena, London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
The Duchess of Cambridge (left) and Jessica Ennis after the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
Winner of Sports Personality of the Year 2012, Bradley Wiggins gives his victory speech watched by The Duchess of Cambridge during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL Arena, London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
The Duchess of Cambridge (left) and Jessica Ennis after the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
The Duchess of Cambridge after the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
Winner of Sports Personality of the Year 2012, Bradley Wiggins accepts his award onstage from The Duchess of Cambridge during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL Arena, London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
Winner of Sports Personality of the Year 2012, Bradley Wiggins during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
Winner of Sports Personality of the Year 2012, Bradley Wiggins during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
The Duchess of Cambridge (right) and Jessica Ennis during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
Winner of Sports Personality of the Year 2012, Bradley Wiggins (centre) accepts his award onstage watched by (left to right) Gary Lineker, Sue Barker, The Duchess of Cambridge, Second placed Sports Personality of the Year 2012, Jessica Ennis and David Beckham during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL Arena, London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
Idris Elba performs on stage during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL Arena, London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
The Award for winner of team of the year, Team GB and Paralympic GB, is presented by Sir Roger Bannister to Victoria Pendleton during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL Arena, London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
Fabrice Muamba (right) talks to Gary Lineker during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL Arena, London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
Members of Team GB and Paralympic GB, Victoria Pendleton (left) Jonnie Peacock and Louis Smith (right) accept the Award for winner of team of the year which went to Team GB and Paralympic GB during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL Arena, London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
The Award for winner of team of the year, Team GB and Paralympic GB, is presented by Sir Roger Bannister to Victoria Pendleton during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL Arena, London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
Winners of the Unsung Hero Award, Sue and Jim Houghton are presented their award by Fabrice Muamba (left) during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL Arena, London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
The Award for winner of team of the year, Team GB and Paralympic GB, is presented by Sir Roger Bannister to Victoria Pendleton watched by Jonnie Peacock (right) during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL Arena, London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
Winners of the Unsung Hero Award, Sue and Jim Houghton with Sue Barker (right) and Fabrice Muamba during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL Arena, London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
David Weir onstage during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL Arena, London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
Jessica Ennis on stage with Sue Barker (left) during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL Arena, London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
Jessica Ennis on stage with Sue Barker (left) during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL Arena, London.
The Duchess of Cambridge and David Beckham presented the top award.
Wiggins said: "I'm not going to swear tonight so I am just going to say 'thank you' to everyone that picked the phone up and voted.
"We have had all that jungle stuff (I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!) and X Factor the last couple of weeks, so for people in half an hour to pick up and pay £1.50 to vote, thank you very much.
"And my nan: the cheque is in the post because you pressed redial God-knows how many times."
He then told his children Ben and Bella "you can go to bed now".
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The Huffington Post UK | By Samuel Luckhurst Posted: 16/12/2012 22:39 GMT | Updated: 17/12/2012 08:51 GMT