CARL Fogarty was last night inducted into the BBC's Sporting Hall of Fame.

The Blackburn motorcycling legend became only the fourth sportsman to be awarded the honour.

In a glittering ceremony at Manchester's Hilton Hotel, the former World Superbike champion followed Sir Tom Finney, Sir Bobby Charlton and rugby legend Alex Murphy into the North West Hall of Fame.

Fogarty, 40, received a standing ovation from guests as he was presented with the famous trophy from Sir Tom Finney, the former Preston and England star.

And Fogarty claimed the award was one of the biggest achievements in a career littered with silverware.

He said: "It's a honour to recieve an award that's been won by Sir Tom and Sir Bobby Charlton.

"Now, I'm waiting for a phone call from The Queen!

"I can look back on a fantastic career but the highlight has to be my first world title in Australia in 1994.

"There's been lots of things that have driven me on but I think the fear of losing has been my main motivation.

"I have always been a bad loser.

"In any individual sport, you need to find that determination and single-mindedness."

Fogarty is one of the most successful Superbike racers of all time.

He won the World Championship four times between 1994 and 1999, chalking up an amazing 59 victories along the way.

In 1995, he cruised to the world title with five races to spare.

He broke the lap record at the Isle of Man TT in 1992, and also rode in America.

His career on the track came to an end in 2000 following a crash at Philip Island, Australia, where he sustained multiple injuries. His shoulder was so badly damaged that he was forced to retire from the saddle.

Two years later, he formed his own Foggy Petronas team but he never matched his success off the track, and his future in the sport is still in doubt.

But it is as a fearless and talented rider that Fogarty will always be remembered, and his legendary status was assured after last night's award.

Fogarty was elected into the Hall of Fame by a panel of judges, including Lancashire Telegraph Sports Editor Paul Plunkett.