Ben Stokes beats Lewis Hamilton to win BBC Sports Personality of the Year award - in pictures

Stokes had a sensational 2019 World Cup and Ashes series for England

Ben Stokes is the ultimate competitor. He almost single-handedly won the Headingley Test for England against Australia last summer. PA

Ben Stokes made an unbeaten 84 and guided England to a thrilling super over win over New Zealand at the 2019 World Cup final in London. PA

Ben Stokes topped his World Cup final effort with a sensational 135 not out that handed England an unlikely one-wicket win in the third Ashes Test against Australia at Headingley. PA

Ben Stokes was named man of the match for his performance in the thrilling win over New Zealand in the 2019 World Cup final. AFP

Ben Stokes poses with the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award in Aberdeen. PA

Ben Stokes won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award following a brilliant World Cup and Ashes for England. PA

Nicola Adams, right, and Lizzy Yarnold present Eoin Morgan, second left, the Moment of the Year award. PA

Ben Stokes had a great year in ODI and Test cricket. PA

Ben Stokes's catch to dismiss South Africa's Andile Phehlukwayo at the 2019 World Cup was one of the best catches ever taken. AFP

Eoin Morgan, second left, on stage after England receive the Team of the Year and Moment of the Year awards along side Jason Roy, centre, and Ben Stokes in Aberdeen. PA

Ben Stokes and wife Clare Ratcliffe during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards in Aberdeen. PA

Eoin Morgan, left, Jason Roy, second left, Ben Stokes, second right, and Gary Lineker. PA

England all-rounder Ben Stokes was voted the BBC Sports Personality of the Year for his stellar performance at the World Cup and Ashes during the summer, finishing ahead of six-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton.

Stokes won the prestigious award – voted by the British public – for his achievements that also helped England land the Team of the Year award.

“Two years ago was a tough time for me in my life. I’ve had so many people help me through that,” Stokes, 28, said after accepting the award. The all-rounder was forced to spend time away from cricket for his involvement in a brawl in Bristol in 2017 but was later found not guilty of affray.

Stokes was named man of the match for his brilliant innings of 84 not out in the run chase against New Zealand and the subsequent super over which helped hosts England's win the World Cup for the first time at Lord's.

He then managed to top that effort by playing one of the all-time great Test innings against Australia, hitting 135 not out that sealed a nail-biting one-wicket win at Headingley.

Stokes' brilliance meant multiple world champion Hamilton finished runner-up in the voting while 200m world champion Dina Asher-Smith came in third.

Cricket's recognition has come at a crucial moment in the country. Stokes was the first cricketer to earn the award since Andrew Flintoff following the memorable 2005 Ashes. With cricket returning to terrestrial television in the UK, Stokes's win is being seen as another boost for the game that is trying to reach a new generation of fans.