Jump to content

The BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year award is celebrating its 70th anniversary tonight. 

Established in 1954, Spoty does not necessarily reward the best sporting performance of the year but, as a public vote, recognises the ‘personality’ who has most captivated the British public over the past calendar year.   

What is it?

Spoty is an annual awards and review programme, organised and hosted by the Corporation, that began in 1954 by looking back at the year in sport before crowning a BBC Sports Personality of the Year. The use of the word ‘personality’ in the title is a throwback to when the term was used interchangeably with the word ‘person’. Contrary to popular perception, there is no requirement for the shortlisted candidates to have distinctive character. 

Now in its eighth decade, the show has mushroomed to incorporate seven other distinct prizes alongside the main award: World Sport Star of the Year, Team of the Year, Lifetime Achievement, Young Sports Personality of the Year, Coach of the Year, Unsung Hero, Greatest Sporting Moment of the Year and the Helen Rollason Award, inaugurated to commemorate the life of the BBC presenter who died in 1999, and presented for “outstanding achievement in the face of adversity”.

When is it?

Spoty takes place tonight (Tuesday, December 19) and is broadcast live, with voting open to the public during the programme via phone, the BBC Sports app and website. The show is broadcast on BBC One.

Where is it?

The event is held at Media City in Salford, with tickets available on application to BBC Shows and Tours.

What time will it start?

Coverage begins at 7pm UK time and is due to finish at 9pm.

How can I watch it?

BBC One and BBC iPlayer will broadcast the show, presented, as it was last year, by Gabby Logan, Clare Balding, Gary Lineker and Alex Scott, live. You may also follow the event by reading our live blog.