Sports Personality of the Year 2020: Lewis Hamilton, Capt Sir Tom Moore dominate social media

  • Published
Media caption,

Hamilton wins Sports Personality of the Year 2020

An extraordinary night at the end of an extraordinary year.

Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2020 in front of a social distancing-induced virtual audience in Salford.

In a year in which the coronavirus pandemic disrupted sporting calendars across the world, the Mercedes driver continued his relentless pursuit of greatness.

Not only did he equal Michael Schumacher's record of seven world titles, he surpassed the German legend's record of 91 grand prix wins.

After finishing ahead of second-placed Jordan Henderson and Hollie Doyle in third, it didn't take long for the 35-year-old to start trending on Twitter as viewers congratulated him.

This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post by Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post by Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team
Image source, Twitter
This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post 2 by Gary Lineker

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post 2 by Gary Lineker
This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post 3 by Damon Hill

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post 3 by Damon Hill

Among the viewers in the virtual audience of about 700 were NHS workers and fundraisers, plus former winners of the award.

In true 2020 style, Dame Kelly Holmes tweeted a snapshot of her tuning in from her living room...

This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post 4 by Kelly Holmes

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post 4 by Kelly Holmes

On a night flooded with emotions, the tone was set by Captain Sir Tom Moore.

The 100-year-old war veteran captured the hearts of the British public during lockdown when he raised millions of pounds for NHS charities by walking laps in his garden.

He picked up the Helen Rollason award for his outstanding achievement, and tears swiftly followed...

Image source, Twitter
Image source, Twitter

Captain Tom's actions during the pandemic were so inspirational, a special Sports Personality gong was created in his name - the Captain Tom Young Unsung Hero award.

Nine-year-old Tobias Weller, who has cerebral palsy and autism, was named the inaugural winner for raising more than £150,000 by walking two marathons, .

For the second time in a matter of minutes, viewers were brought to tears...

This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post 5 by Luke Gunn

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post 5 by Luke Gunn
This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post 6 by Jade Morris

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post 6 by Jade Morris
This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post 7 by Captain Tom Moore

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post 7 by Captain Tom Moore

A continuous theme throughout 2020 has been Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford's campaign to raise awareness of child food poverty in the UK.

Fresh from playing in his side's 6-2 victory over Leeds United only hours before, the 23-year-old showed up on stage to collect the Expert Panel Special Award for his work off the pitch.

And the footballing world were watching...

This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post 8 by Raheem Sterling

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post 8 by Raheem Sterling
This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post 9 by R.Lukaku Bolingoli9

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post 9 by R.Lukaku Bolingoli9
This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post 10 by Manchester United

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post 10 by Manchester United

On the subject of football, it was another successful night for Premier League champions Liverpool.

Alongside captain Jordan Henderson's second-placed finish in the main award, the club won Team of the Year with manager Jurgen Klopp picking up Coach of the Year.

The German even had time to poke fun at bitter rivals Manchester United...

Image source, Twitter
Image source, Twitter

Elsewhere, emotions ran high as the late Sgt Matt Ratana won the Unsung Hero award:

Image source, Twitter
Image source, Twitter

And Twitter also paid tribute to Kevin Sinfield's incredible fundraising campaign in the name of former team-mate Rob Burrow, who has motor neurone disease:

This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post 11 by Jamie Peacock MBE

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post 11 by Jamie Peacock MBE
This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post 12 by AP McCoy

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post 12 by AP McCoy

Sports Personality of the Year 2020 delivered a night at the end of a year that will live long in the memory.

Same again next year (but minus the pandemic)?

Related topics