Redgrave voted golden great

Redgrave will be a mentor for six British Olympic hopefuls Q&A: Sir Steve Redgrave

Sir Steven Redgrave has topped a poll to pick the ultimate BBC Sports Personality of the Year winner.

The Olympic rowing legend, who landed the annual award in 2000, finished ahead of some of Britain's great sporting heroes.

He was on a shortlist of five that also included footballers David Beckham and the late Bobby Moore, cricketer Ian Botham and ice skating duo Torvill and Dean.

"It's a difficult award to win in many ways," Redgrave told BBC Sport.

"Everybody who has won the award, and those who should have won it, deserve to have it and to be singled out is difficult.

"I don't see myself as being the best of everybody there at all - not in my wildest dreams."

Sir Steven won five Olympic gold medals, but insists he will not be getting back in a boat and going for rowing gold number six, although will be as involved as possible with competing athletes.

As a mentor for six British hopefuls he will be available over the next year to give advice and ideas, without the demands of full-time coaching.

I feel very honoured indeed to be presented with this gold trophy Sir Steven Redgrave

"We've had a tremendous sporting year. British sport is moving on to bigger and better things," he said.

"One the proudest moments in my life was watching them (the England rugby team), that was very special indeed.

Sir Steven then paid special tribute to last year's Sports Personality winner.

Feature: A golden great

"I hope that Paula Radcliffe, who had my vote, will hopefully go on to bigger and better things next year and win that Olympic gold she deserves."