Sir Mo Farah was voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year, the latest addition to his extensive list of honours, which includes the freedom of the borough of Richmond.

Speaking via video link from St Mary’s University in Twickenham, close to the athletics track named after him earlier this year, his first interview with presenter Gabby Logan was upstaged by his son Hussein.

Hussein grabbed his microphone before eventually being taken away by Sir Mo's daughter Rhianna.

He explained in a later interview that he could not hear any of Ms Logan's questions and apologised for "not being able to do two things at once".

The British public clearly liked what they saw, though, as Sir Mo struggled manfully with his wriggling child and missing microphone, smiling and laughing throughout.

He was announced as the shock winner (boxer Anthony Joshua was the 1-10 favourite to win), with the show over-running and 7.5 million people watching by former Liverpool player and manager Kenny Dalglish.

The 33-year-old, who has recently moved back to the UK from America, said: "It's incredible. To be honest with you, I never thought I'd win having come so close in 2011.

"Over the years, I've come third, fourth, or thereabouts, and I was like, 'This thing is hard to win'. But I guess you just got to do what you've got to do and over the last 10 years I've been very lucky with the career I've had.

"I'm kind of shocked. I didn't have any speech prepared."

Asked if he wished he had attended in person, he said: "Yeah, I do wish I was there - it would have been nice to give something back to the people - but the most important thing in my life is my family.

"My son is ill and my twins have been sick. It's been pretty hard moving back from the US - they've been struggling a bit and that's why I couldn't be here tonight.

"My son was actually in the other room, throwing up everywhere. But I do owe it to the public and the people who supported me - I just want to thank everyone who voted for me. I can't stop staring at (the award)."