Ben Stokes has been named BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2019.
The English cricketer was honoured at the P&J Live Arena in Aberdeen, Scotland, where he admitted it was his family that "put perspective on everything".
Speaking as he collect the award, he said: "My parents, they live on the other side of the world, they don’t get to share moments like this, the World Cup and be there with me but the time you dedicated to me growing up, the selflessness to get me to training camps and around the country, this is for you. I love you so much, thank you. To my amazing wife, Claire. Family to me is more important than what I do for a living. It puts perspective on everything, after the good and bad days they are there for me no matter what. My two kids too, they are awesome, I love you so much. Back to Claire, you’re a rock. You always have been. You always will be. I wish you could come here and share it with me, you deserve it just as much. I love you so much and I’m so proud to call you my wife."
And the 28-year-old sportsman also opened up about the "tough time" in his life two years ago and how he felt it had shaped him.
He added: "First of all, I think congratulations to all the nominees. What you’ve managed to achieve as individuals and do for your sport is simply sensational so well done to you too. There’s so many people you feel you have to thank when you’re up here. It’s an individual award but I play a team sport and one of the great things about that is you get to share special moments with those team mates, coaches and without that effort you put in, I wouldn’t be up here receiving this award so thank you so much. Two years ago was a tough time for me in my life and I’ve had so many people help me through that. My fantastic manager and friend Neil Fairbrother, you’re more than an agent, you’re an incredible man. I don’t know how you’ve put up with Andrew Flintoff and me, you and Audrey you’re incredible people."
Ben Stokes named BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2019
