Jessica Ennis-Hill led the way for England’s Commonwealth Games stars as she finished third at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards ceremony.

Ennis-Hill, who took heptathlon bronze at Melbourne 2006, was nominated among an impressive 12-strong shortlist which also included Glasgow 2014 stars Max Whitlock, Adam Peaty, Greg Rutherford and Lizzie Armitstead.

In the end, it was world number two tennis player Andy Murray who walked away with the top prize after garnering 35% of the public vote.

Ennis-Hill, who returned from injury and the birth of her son Reggie to clinch her second world title this summer, was third behind rugby league’s Kevin Sinfield.

And afterwards she tweeted: “Thank you to everyone who voted for me tonight. A brilliant evening and to finish in the top 3 is a great way to end a fantastic year.”

Ellie Downie – sister of double Commonwealth champion Becky – followed in the footsteps of fellow gymnast and Glasgow 2014 star Claudia Fragapane by clinching the Young Sports Personality of the Year Award.

Sportsbeat 2015