The 30-year-old strung a series of impressive performances as the Lionesses reached the Women's World Cup final this summer, including a penalty save from Spain's Jenni Hermoso in the final - a game England lost 1-0.

Earps also won the Golden Glove award as the best 'keeper at the tournament.

Last season Earps kept 14 clean sheets for Manchester United as they finished second in the Women's Super League.

Earps's popularity was summed up when Nike initially refused to sell her England replica goalkeeper shirt, only for it to sell out in five minutes after the sports manufacturers performed a U-turn.

It's the second year running that a women's footballer has picked up the coveted prize, with Euros star and Earps' England teammate Beth Mead the winner last year.

Retired England cricketer Stuart Broad finished second in the vote, while world heptathlon champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson came third.

Wheelchair tennis player Alfie Hewett, jockey Frankie Dettori and golf star Rory McIlroy were the three other contenders for the prize.

'This is wow'

"I feel a bit sick actually," Earps said upon receiving the award at the ceremony in Salford, Manchester.

"I would like to say how humbled I am to be among incredible athletes. Sport is a fantastic thing that brings the world together and to hear your stories is unbelievable.

"Thanks to everyone for voting for me, I'm very honoured and humbled. This is the ultimate all-round sporting accolade, us Lionesses and Manchester United have had an amazing couple of years. But this is wow."

Recipients of other awards included Manchester City's striker Erling Haaland, who won World Sport Star of the Year and his manager Pep Guardiola, who was named coach of the year.

Sir Kenny Dalglish, a Liverpool legend, was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

And snowboarder Mia Brooks was crowned Young Sports Personality of the Year, while Fatima Whitbread was honoured with the Helen Rollason Award.