McCoy secured nearly 42% of the public vote, with darts star Phil Taylor second and athlete Jessica Ennis third.

BBC: Jockey McCoy 'humbled' by Sports Personality award

Phil Taylor, regional director of the UK Border Agency, said he was hopeful that the majority of asylum seekers would remain in their current accommodation.

BBC: Protest over plan to re-home hundreds of asylum seekers

Having drawn Terry Jenkins in Aberdeen on Thursday he will join Phil Taylor, James Wade and Raymond van Barneveld in the play-offs on Monday, 25 May.

BBC: King confirms his play-off spot

Acting chief executive Phil Taylor said no disciplinary action would be taken against staff because it was believed that none of the guidelines which were in place at the time of the incident had been breached.

BBC: You are in: Health

Despite the string of top names - which also included darts world champion Phil Taylor and former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson - who stopped for a chat, Omari insisted he had not been nervous in the slightest.

BBC: School Report goes backstage at Sports Personality

Mardle failed to rekindle the form which saw him defeat Robert Thornton in round two and Stompe, who has already defeated Andy Jenkins and Alan Tabern on his Alexandra Palace debut, will take on Phil Taylor on New Year's Day.

BBC: Barney edges through in thriller

It was the era of New York Giants greatness and I was hooked instantly: Lawrence Taylor, Phil Simms, Mark Bavaro, Jeff Hostetler.

WSJ: Gerard Baker: Football Is Better Than Soccer