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Every December, the BBC awards their coveted "BBC Sports Personality of the Year". The winner is judged by public vote on the basis of who has achieved the most in their respective sport over the course of the year.
The only criteria is that the winner is a British citizen or plays a lot of their sport in the United Kingdom. The contenders are made known in November, when a panel of thirty top sports journalists provide a list of ten nominees each. A final list of ten nominees is compiled and the public votes by telephone on the night of the ceremony. Needless to say, bookmakers start the speculation early and the odds you see here are pure speculation but the top names at the bookmakers are likely to feature.
The first BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony took place in 1954 as part of Sportsview, and was presented by Peter Dimmock. Voting in those days was done by postcard. Over 14,000 people voted and Christopher Chataway was the first winner.
Only three people have won more than once: boxer Henry Cooper and the Formula One drivers Nigel Mansell and Damon Hill. Popular Snooker pro Steve Davis has finished in the top three a record five times. Of the fifty-seven recipients, thirteen have been female. A total of sixteen sports have been represented.
Athletics is the sport with the most wins (17), followed by Formula One (6), Football (5), Boxing (5), Cricket (4) and Tennis (3).
The latest BBC Sports Personality of the Year Odds can be found to the right of this page.
