Andy Murray
Murray enjoyed a stellar second half to the campaign which included capturing his second Wimbledon title Getty Images

Andy Murray has been crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year for the second year running.

Murray, 29, becomes the first sportsman to win the award on three occasions after a spectacular 2016 that saw him rise to the summit of men's tennis, replacing Novak Djokovic as the world's number one player in November.

The Scot finished ahead of triathlete Alistair Brownlee in second place, with show jumper Nick Skelton coming in third.

Murray won his second Wimbledon title in July, defeating Canada's Milos Raonic in the final, having already finished as runner-up in both the Australian Open and the French Open.

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At the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio he successfully defended the title he had won in London four years earlier, defeating Juan Martin del Porto in a pulsating final to win a second gold medal.

Djokovic's grip on the no. 1 spot began to loosen in the second half of 2016 with early exits from Wimbledon and in Rio before he lost the US Open final to Stanislas Wawrinka.

Murray, meanwhile, was faultless, and cemented his place at the top of the men's standings by hammering Djokovic 6-3 6-4 to take his maiden ATP Finals title at the season-ending tour finals in London - his ninth trophy of a historic season. That win was also a career-record 24th straight win.

As has become tradition, Murray was not in attendance at Birmingham's Genting Arena on Sunday 18 December as it coincides with his annual pre-season training camp in Miami, which he uses as a tune-up for the new campaign.

Murray also saw off Rio 2016 gold medallists Nicola Adams, Max Whitlock, Adam Peaty, Alistair Brownlee, Mo Farah, Jason Kenny and Laura Kenny to scoop this year's award. with Real Madrid and Wales forward Gareth Bale and Masters champion Danny Willett also shortlisted.

Leicester City were crowned team of the year with manager Claudio Ranieri collecting manager of the year after the Foxes' superb 2015-16 Premier League title triumph. American swimmer Michael Phelps was presented with a lifetime achievement award, having won his 23rd Olympic gold medal in Rio, while US gymnast Simone Biles won overseas personality of the year.

Andy Murray Leicester City FC