AS a sportsman, Sir Chris Hoy has always been in control of his own destiny.

But Britain's greatest ever Olympian has had to watch on helplessly in recent weeks and rely on the ability of others when he needed it the most.

The Scot became a father last month when his wife Sarra gave birth to their first child, Callum, who arrived 11 weeks prematurely.

It came as a massive shock to the couple who have spent the last eight weeks visiting their baby in hospital, with him only being allowed home in the last few days.

Hoy was the guest of honour in Glasgow on Sunday night as he received the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Lifetime Achievement award.

He revealed how difficult it has been to adjust over the last few life-changing weeks.

He said: "The initial fear and concern when Callum was born I've never experienced before. Not just worrying about him, but worrying about my wife Sarra and what's going to happen.

"It was a complete bolt from the blue. Up until that point she'd been 100 per cent and then a couple of days later they say the baby has to come out. At 29 weeks it was a big shock.

"From complete shock and concern it all disappears when you finally get home and all the machines and tubes aren't there anymore. He's a healthy baby - a wee one - but healthy.

"Nothing prepares you for that feeling. We had to wait a few days before we could actually pick him up because he was in an incubator. You just think 'bloody hell, I'm a dad and this is my wee boy.'

"You're worried because you don't know what happens, but that's just normal. My parents are still worried about me now."

Hoy added: "In the past everything I did was about controlling the controllables and doing what you can.

"With Callum there was very little you could do, I just had to leave it the nurses and doctors. They have been absolutely incredible.

"It's about relinquishing control and trusting someone else. When you see how amazing they are it settles your nerves a bit, but it's just so much better when he's back in your arms and take him home."

Hoy's achievements on a bike were validated long before his award at The Hydro at the weekend.

The 38-year-old spent much time over the summer at the velodrome which bears his name in the east end of Glasgow during the Commonwealth Games.

However, for all the six Olympic gold medals and the dozens of other accolades he has collected over his career, Hoy admits receiving his latest gong in front of a home crowd will never leave him.

"Seeing the Games on home soil and looking up at a stadium with your name on the side of it is incredible. It's a year I definitely will remember," he explained.

"Looking back to Sunday, I thought those sort of nights were over. You think when you retire it's all done and dusted, you're never going to feel like that again.

"Sunday was right up there with anything I've ever received. It's harder when you know you are getting it as you build it up in your head and you get more emotional before it.

"It's almost a confirmation of your retirement, you realise this is over. It's the end of the journey, that's what makes it emotional.

"To get a standing ovation from everyone, including people I look up to, is just wonderful. It's a night I'll always remember."