Key events
Show only key events
Please enable JavaScript to use this feature
Time to hear Whiteman. “You get to the top and then you have to work even harder than before to stay there,” he says when asked about his 1,500m gold medal at the world athletics championships. “It’s a big, big milestone in my career.”
Jake Whiteman celebrates winning the men’s 1500m final in Eugene, Oregon. Photo: Martin Rickett/Pennsylvania
Jessica Gadirova wins Young Spoty
Ellie Simmonds, the former Paralympic swimmer, announces the first winner of the night and it’s… Gadirova! “Thank you to my support team, my coaches, British Gymnastics and my friends and family,” she says. “That goes for you, I couldn’t have done this without you and you mean the world to me.”
Jessica Gadirova, winner of the Young Sports Personality of the Year award, poses for a photo earlier in the evening. Photo: David Davis/Pennsylvania
Updated at 19.26 GMT
Gadirova is next. “I gave it my all, blocked everything, focused on myself and tried to give the best performance for Great Britain that anyone could remember,” she tells Logan when asked about her floor gold .
Jessica Gadirova boasted about her gold medal from the World Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool. Photo: Peter Byrne/PA
There is a tribute to Eddie Butler, the former Wales rugby union international and legendary broadcaster whose melodious baritone is particularly associated with the Six Nations. He died in September aged 65.
It’s time for a montage from the beautiful game. The proof is in the pudding, and the pudding in this case…is a football.
O’Sullivan is next. He spoke to Lineker via video link from Dubai, where he is on holiday. “I love the game, I love competing and if you love what you do, you can’t wait to get out of bed in the morning and do it,” he says. There is a pause. “By the way how are you Gary are you ok?”
Ronnie O’Sullivan basks in the glory of his seventh world title. Photo: Zac Goodwin/PA
Muirhead was the first to speak to the presenters, after a montage featuring family members talking about her lifelong dedication to curling. “On the back of qualifying for Beijing, we did it the hard way, but I think as individuals and as a team we learned a lot there … before we knew it, we were standing on top of that podium with our medals.”
Clare Bolding interviews Eve Moorhead during BBC Sports Personality of the Year. Photo: David Davis/Pennsylvania
Updated at 19.32 GMT
Along with the main award, the Young Athlete of the Year, Team and Coach of the Year, Unsung Hero and Helen Rollason awards will also be presented tonight. Young Spoty contenders are Gadirova – again – Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix, the turtleneck, and Sky Brown, the skateboarder.
Spotty is officially underway. Sit back, relax and enjoy the montages.
England manager Sarina Wigman (left) catches up with her former subordinate Ellen White as they wait for the show to start. Photo: David Davis/Pennsylvania
Updated at 19.07 GMT
We have our first piece of correspondence, from Adrian Fowell via email. “64% of YouGov poll don’t know [who should win]. Doesn’t that say it all? Shrug. Place Hadrian as ab).
Stokes will miss the ceremony due to a stomach ailment
Claire Stokes, the wife of Ben Stokes, posted a picture of him on Instagram, wrapped in a blanket and looking a little under the weather. “All set for #spoty here! Except @stokesy came home with a stomach bug,” the caption read.
Tough luck, Ben. Photo: Nick Potts/Pennsylvania
Updated at 18.40 GMT
Are there fans of the democratic process reading this blog? Well, you’re in luck because you can vote for the winner during tonight’s show, online or by phone. Here’s how Spoty works, in case anyone needs a reminder. They will announce the details after the program starts at 18:45 (GMT).
In case it’s of interest, tonight’s presenters are Gary Lineker, Claire Bolding, Gabby Logan and Alex Scott. This is the 69th edition of Spoty, which began in 1954.
Lineker, Logan, Balding and Scott pose for the cameras as they arrive for the event. Photo: Anthony Devlin/Getty Images
Updated at 18.47 GMT
A few words about O’Sullivan, the oldest contender at 47. He won his seventh World Snooker Championship in May, defeating Judd Trump 18-13 to equal Stephen Hendry’s record in the modern era. His first world title came in 2001, 21 years before his last triumph. It was his 39th ranking title, a record, and brought him 74 Crucible victories, also a record.
To give her full credit, while Meade scored joint-highest goals at Euro 2022 alongside Pop, she finished as the tournament’s top scorer with her five assists. She also caught fire with Arsenal in the Women’s Super League this year, although her season was severely cut short by a serious knee injury.
Beth Meade poses with the Euro 2022 trophy after the final which England won 2-1 against Germany. Photo: Lynn Cameron/FA/Getty Images
Who answered b) then? Here’s a poll from YouGov that should add some fuel to the fire. Leaving aside the 64% of people who don’t know who should win the Spotty, Mead has a slight lead over Stokes with the British public. Wightman is the leftmost choice.
Who should win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2022? The Brits think it’s coming home for Lionesses forward Beth Mead
Beth Mead: 12% Ben Stokes: 10% Ronnie O’Sullivan: 6% Eve Moorhead: 4% Jessica Gadirova: 2% Jake Wightman: 1% Don’t know: 64% pic.twitter.com/L8BadUyNUH
— YouGov (@YouGov) December 21, 2022
Preamble
It’s that time of year again, right? Where we all argue about the Sports Personality of the Year award and whether it is a) a national institution b) completely meaningless or c) somewhere in between. “Um, uh, have you heard of shade? It’s obviously c)’, is what a smartass might say. This blog is for those who think it’s either a) or b) a binary choice with no room for nuance. Because what is sport for, if not a huge controversy just for the sake of it?
Among this year’s Spoty contenders, Beth Mead is the overwhelming favorite. After winning Euro 2022 with England, scoring a tournament-best six goals alongside Germany’s Alexandra Popp, few would begrudge her the award. Ben Stokes is also in the mix, reviving the England cricket team alongside Brendon McCullum, the Test coach, while helping the white-ball side win the T20 World Cup under Matthew Mott.
Jessica Gadirova, the gymnast who won floor gold at the world championships, Eve Muirhead, who led Team Great Britain to curling gold at the Winter Olympics, Jake Wightman, who won gold in the 1500m at the world athletics championships, and Ronnie O’Sullivan, the snooker legend, complete the shortlist. But who will win? Let’s find out.
Updated at 19.31 GMT
Add Comment