Never again will we see the like. All 12 finalists could easily have won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards in any other year. Really, how were you able to choose between them? It almost lifted the bad taste left by last year, when no women were nominated, and well and truly banished the bad memories of those years in the 90s when Damon Hill seemed to win it every time. In 2011, the total number of votes cast was 341,959; last night, Wiggins alone took nearly half a million and the total vote was more than 1.6m. Here are our favourite moments from last night (think of it as a montage, perhaps with music by Emeli Sandé) …
The winner, Bradley Wiggins, actually has a personality
Bradley Wiggins gives his victory speech watched by the Duchess of Cambridge. Photograph: David Davies/PA Only bores moan that "Sport personality" is an oxymoron, especially in the era of Ellie Simmonds, Mo Farah and Nicola Adams. It was always going to be Wiggins' night though, from his loose-cannon opening appearance which caused "Susan" Barker to look distinctly uneasy, to a reminder of his astounding achievements this year. Not to mention the velour suit. If he is now predictably brilliant on the bike, he is thrillingly unpredictable off it. Even his wife, Cath, was caught by the cameras cringing and mouthing something along the lines of, "Oh no," as her husband took the mic for his acceptance speech.
Lennox Lewis giving Andy Murray his award
Until we get the news that Lewis and Murray's two-man comedy show is confirmed, we'll have to make do with watching the moment when Lewis hands Murray the trophy – or rather, doesn't – for third place, again and again. Lewis is looking around as if pretending not to be there (he later tweeted he didn't have an earpiece and was watching it off-camera to get his cue). Still it made Andy smile for the first time all night. I love it when Andy smiles.
Chad's dad
Bert Le Clos being interviewed by Clare Balding. Photograph: BBC Bert Le Clos was the clear breakout star of London 2012 when he was interviewed by Clare Balding after his "beautiful boy" beat Michael Phelps in the 200m butterfly. His appearance last night brought a massive cheer. "You personified parental pride," Balding told him. He thanked her for making him famous "30 years … and 40 kilos too late." If the Lewis-Murray sitcom doesn't get commissioned, can we have Bert & Balding instead?
The presenters
Clare Balding, Gary Lineker and Sue Barker. Photograph: Todd Antony/BBC My theory is that Gary Lineker had to break out the Spanish when interviewing Sergio Aguero, the Argentinian Manchester City player, because he was aware he was being upstaged by the magnificent Balding and Barker. He took the teasing from Wiggins about his makeup pretty well, though, and maybe this is the incentive he needs to step away from the bronzer.
Louis Smith's look
Louis Smith's models his 'Hercule Poirot' look. Photograph: WireImage If being criticised by the Daily Mail for your style is the celeb equivalent of being told by your parents that you shouldn't go out dressed like that, Louis Smith has to win best-dressed man of the night. Taking inspiration from Truman Capote, Spike Lee and Hercule Poirot, he looked sharp. Best groomed eyebrows of the night goes to David Beckham.
The BBC goes into production overdrive
Clare Balding introduces the Weirwolf. Photograph: BBC Smoke, flares, lights. Montages with inspiring music Рsome, incredibly, not by Emeli Sand̩; montages with profound literature (Kenneth Branagh reading Virgil, for instance, to jazz up the rowing). And then we had the mighty David Weir who came out to Thriller, because of his nickname, the Weirwolf, and more smoke machines than a Marillion concert. The best bit? Obviously Clare Balding doing a growl and a wolf-paw swipe to introduce him.
The Poznan
The crowd does the Manchester City Poznan. Photograph: BBC This was not a night for footballers, no matter how fond everyone is of Fabrice Muamba. But the sight of the crowd doing the Poznan, Manchester City's adopted celebration, was a highlight, particularly spotting people in the audience, facing the wrong way (ie, not backwards) who didn't have a clue what to do. Does anyone know if Alex Ferguson was in the audience?
Kate Middleton makes an entrance
The Duchess of Cambridge. Photograph: David Davies/PA Yes, she did look dazzling, expertly navigating a perilously floor-skimming dress and high heels, channelling old-school Hollywood glamour (with a touch of Liz Hurley) - but why didn't they let her speak?
Martine Wright wins the Helen Rollason award
Martine Wright. Photograph: BBC Already brought to the brink by all the montages, there wasn't a dry eye in the house as sitting volleyball Paralympian Martine Wright collected her award from Denise Lewis and Liz Kenworthy, the off-duty police officer who saved her life on the day of the 7/7 bombings. In a pitch-perfect speech, Wright didn't focus on her own achievements, instead paying tribute to the 52 people who lost their lives that day. "This is the time to get together, we need to remember the summer but we need to build on this legacy and go ahead and inspire the nation."
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