SPOTY 2024 LIVE: Latest updates with Hodgkinson and Littler favourites

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Mark Cavendish talks about his legacy as he prepares to receive the SPOTY Lifetime Achievement Award.

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Tonight, the BBC Sports Personality of the Year event makes its comeback, allowing the British public to cast their votes for their top sports figure from a remarkable 2024.

A group of judges put together a shortlist featuring Jude Bellingham, Joe Root, darting star Luke Littler, Paralympic champion Sarah Storey, and Olympic gold medalists Alex Yee and Keely Hodgkinson. Among them, Keely is currently seen as the frontrunner for the award.

Tonight's show will feature fan voting to determine the winner, with all six athletes hoping to join well-known figures like Lewis Hamilton, Andy Murray, and Mary Earps as champions.

Mark Cavendish has officially been named the winner of the lifetime achievement award after setting a new record for the most stage victories in the Tour de France last July. Additionally, awards will be presented for young sports personality, best international athlete, team of the year, outstanding sporting moment, and the unsung hero of the year.

Keely Hodgkinson: 'Giorgio Armani Called Me Bella'

Keely Hodgkinson was an exceptional athlete well before that memorable August evening at the Stade de France when she surged ahead to achieve Olympic success. However, the remarkable influence of the Games is such that even a top-tier 800m runner can see their life transformed by winning their first Olympic medal. Along with the gold, Hodgkinson received increased recognition, new opportunities, and unexpected experiences in her everyday life.

"I was painting pottery at a small café in Sale... that was unexpected," she reflects, recalling some of the strangest experiences from her time after Paris. "A woman walked in and asked, 'Are you the runner?'"

A more glamorous experience occurred when she was invited to attend Milan Fashion Week in September, thanks to Armani. "The experience was simply incredible," she says with a bright smile. "They arranged my flight, and I had a front-row seat at the fashion show. We enjoyed many dinners together, and I even got to meet Giorgio Armani himself. He approached me, gently placed his hand on my cheek, and called me 'bella,' which I found very sweet. He doesn’t speak much English, but he has a passion for sports. It was amusing because he’s this powerful yet petite man. Although he’s now 90 years old, he still looks fantastic."

Chris Wilson, December 17, 2024, 6:00 PM

What Other Awards Will Be Given Tonight?

An award called Young Sports Personality of the Year is given to an athlete who is 17 years old or younger as of January 1, 2024. This year, the three nominees include Littler, who is the favorite to take home the award, along with Olympic skateboarding medalist Sky Brown and Paralympic swimmer William Ellard.

Additionally, there is a recognition for the Global Sports Star, which is presented to the non-British athlete who has accomplished the most during the year. In 2023, this honor went to Erling Haaland.

The Unsung Hero Award recognizes individuals in the community for their contributions to grassroots sports that often go unnoticed. Members of the public can submit nominations for this award. On the other hand, the Helen Rollason Award honors exceptional accomplishments achieved despite challenges, and the recipient is chosen by BBC Sport.

Chris Wilson, December 17, 2024, 5:50 PM

2024 Sports Personality Of The Year: Favorites & Voting

Betting websites have evaluated the odds for the six nominees, with the standout star of British athletics being the clear frontrunner to win the award.

Chris Wilson, December 17, 2024, at 5:40 PM

"Meet The Contenders"

The top contender for the award is Keely Hodgkinson, who represented Team GB at the Paris Olympics and fulfilled expectations by securing a gold medal in the women's 800 meters.

Luke Littler is another strong competitor; at just 17 years old, he is having a remarkable year in the darts scene. He made history by becoming the youngest player to reach the final of the PDC World Darts Championship.

Complete list of SPOTY nominees:

Dame Sarah Storey (for cycling)

Chris Wilson, December 17, 2024, at 5:30 PM.

When Is The Sports Personality Ceremony?

The event is scheduled for Tuesday, December 17, in Salford, located in Greater Manchester.

The event will broadcast live on BBC One, beginning at 7 PM. Viewers can also stream it on BBC iPlayer, and there will be updates available on the BBC Sport website and app.

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Watch The Sports Personality Of The Year 2024 Live!

The BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award is making a comeback this week, featuring some of the top figures in UK sports competing for a chance to be alongside past winners like Lewis Hamilton, Andy Murray, and Emma Raducanu.

The esteemed award, determined by public voting, is presented to the athlete deemed to have achieved the most over the past year. However, various other elements, including the athlete's overall influence, are also considered in the decision-making process.

In 2023, Mary Earps, the goalkeeper for the Lionesses, earned the award due to her outstanding displays during the Women’s World Cup, during which she made a remarkable penalty save in the final match against Spain that has since gained widespread recognition.

Chris Wilson wrote on December 17, 2024, at 5:10 PM.

Live Coverage: Sports Personality Of The Year

Good afternoon and thank you for joining us for The Independent’s live update on this evening’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year event.

Several exceptional British athletes are being considered for the award following a busy 2024. However, it seems that notable figures like Jude Bellingham and Joe Root may not take home the prize. Instead, Olympic medalist Keely Hodgkinson, who delivered an outstanding performance in the 800m and secured gold in Paris 2024, is likely to be the front-runner.

However, that's not the only award available, and we will keep you informed with all the latest updates and winners right here.

Chris Wilson, December 17, 2024, at 5:00 PM