Forever a popular slot on the festive TV schedule, Sports Personality of the Year always caps off a stellar year for British sport.
Figures from across the sporting landscape take to the screen in the run-up to Christmas, hoping to be crowned by the voting public.
Over the years, the likes of Emma Raducanu, Lewis Hamilton, Andy Murray, Mo Farah and Geraint Thomas have made their way on to the honours list.
A staple of the calendar since the 1950s, the event is also a celebration of team success, coaching excellence and the hard work of community volunteers.
Year | Winner | Sport |
---|---|---|
1954 | Christopher Chataway | Athletics |
1955 | Gordon Pirie | Athletics |
1956 | Jim Laker | Cricket |
1957 | Dai Rees | Golf |
1958 | Ian Black | Swimming |
1959 | John Surtees | Motorcycle racing |
1960 | David Broome | Show jumping |
1961 | Stirling Moss | Formula One |
1962 | Anita Lonsbrough | Swimming |
1963 | Dorothy Hyman | Athletics |
1964 | Mary Rand | Athletics |
1965 | Tom Simpson | Cycling |
1966 | Bobby Moore | Football |
1967 | Henry Cooper | Boxing |
1968 | David Hemery | Athletics |
1969 | Ann Jones | Tennis |
1970 | Henry Cooper | Boxing |
1971 | Princess Anne | Eventing |
1972 | Mary Peters | Athletics |
1973 | Jackie Stewart | Formula One |
1974 | Brendan Foster | Athletics |
1975 | David Steele | Cricket |
1976 | John Curry | Figure skating |
1977 | Virginia Wade | Tennis |
1978 | Steve Ovett | Athletics |
1979 | Sebastian Coe | Athletics |
1980 | Robin Cousins | Figure skating |
1981 | Ian Botham | Cricket |
1982 | Daley Thompson | Athletics |
1983 | Steve Cram | Athletics |
1984 | Torvill and Dean | Figure skating |
1985 | Barry McGuigan | Boxing |
1986 | Nigel Mansell | Formula One |
1987 | Fatima Whitbread | Athletics |
1988 | Steve Davis | Snooker |
1989 | Nick Faldo | Golf |
1990 | Paul Gascoigne | Football |
1991 | Liz McColgan | Athletics |
1992 | Nigel Mansell | Formula One |
1993 | Linford Christie | Athletics |
1994 | Damon Hill | Formula One |
1995 | Jonathan Edwards | Athletics |
1996 | Damon Hill | Formula One |
1997 | Greg Rusedski | Tennis |
1998 | Michael Owen | Football |
1999 | Lennox Lewis | Boxing |
2000 | Steve Redgrave | Rowing |
2001 | David Beckham | Football |
2002 | Paula Radcliffe | Athletics |
2003 | Jonny Wilkinson | Rugby union |
2004 | Kelly Holmes | Athletics |
2005 | Andrew Flintoff | Cricket |
2006 | Zara Phillips | Eventing |
2007 | Joe Calzaghe | Boxing |
2008 | Chris Hoy | Cycling |
2009 | Ryan Giggs | Football |
2010 | Tony McCoy | Horse racing |
2011 | Mark Cavendish | Cycling |
2012 | Bradley Wiggins | Cycling |
2013 | Andy Murray | Tennis |
2014 | Lewis Hamilton | Formula One |
2015 | Andy Murray | Tennis |
2016 | Andy Murray | Tennis |
2017 | Mo Farah | Athletics |
2018 | Geraint Thomas | Cycling |
2019 | Ben Stokes | Cricket |
2020 | Lewis Hamilton | Formula One |
2021 | Emma Raducanu | Tennis |
2022 | Beth Mead | Football |
2023 | Mary Earps | Football |
2024 | Keely Hodgkinson | Athletics |
The nominees for the Sports Personality of the Year Award will be announced in early December.
Sports Personality of the Year is a BBC award given every December to a sportsperson who has performed exceptionally during the year.
The winner is voted for by the public, with the top three contenders all placed. The competition is now running for a 71st year.
Other awards are handed out, such as World Sport Star of the Year, Unsung Hero, Team of the Year, Coach of the Year and a Lifetime Achievement award.
The 2025 Sports Personality of the Year award ceremony will be held in December, with a date still to be confirmed.
The venue for the 2024 Sports Personality of the Year was Dock10 Studios, Media City, Salford, having been held in Aberdeen, Liverpool and Birmingham in recent years, with the 2025 venue still to be confirmed.
Sports Personality of the Year will be shown on BBC One and will also be available on BBC iPlayer.
The hosts for Sports Personality of the Year are still to be confirmed.
Keely Hodgkinson won the 2024 Sports Personality of the Year award after taking Olympic gold in the 800m, later retaining her European gold in the same event.
Luke Littler and Lando Norris are at the top of the market. still only 17, Littler has established himself as the best darts player in the world and could win several majors, while Norris will bid for a first Formula 1 title after winning four Grands Prix in the 2024 season.
Lucy Bronze and Leah Williamson are also in the betting ahead of the Women's Euros in the summer.