ANDY MURRAY HAS capped a superb 2016 by winning the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award for an historic third time.

Having won his second Wimbledon championship and finishing the year as world number one, he was always favourite to to land the accolade he won last year and in 2013.

Triathlete Alistair Brownlee finished as runner-up in the voting while show jumper Nick Skelton was third.

The result was never in doubt with Murray landing over twice as many votes as Brownlee, who was crowned Olympic champion earlier this year.

Mo Farah finished in fourth place while Jamie Vardy and Gareth Bale were 9th and 12th respectively.

Murray accepted his award via video-link from Miami where he’s currently training for the new season.

I’d like to thank everyone who voted – I really appreciate your support”, he said.

Actually, I’ve got a bone to pick with my wife because about an hour ago she told me she’d voted for Nick Skelton. Not smart from her with Christmas coming up.”

Elsewhere, US gymnast Simone Biles, who won four gold medals in Rio, was voted Overseas Personality of the Year.

Unlikely Premier League champions Leicester City were voted Team of the Year while Claudio Ranieri walked off with the Coach of the Year award.

Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian in history, received the Lifetime Achievement award after winning five golds and a silver in Rio.

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