BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2023 LIVE! Updates, results and winners with Mary Earps favourite for award
BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2023 LIVE!
One of the landmarks of the British sporting calendar is upon us as the BBC hand out several awards recognising sporting greatness, culminating in the Sports Personality of the Year. Lionesses goalkeeper Mary Earps is the favourite for the main prize, 12 months after England Women's team-mate Beth Mead was awarded.
Earps is joined on the shortlist by retired cricketer Stuart Broad, former jockey Frankie Dettori, heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson, wheelchair tennis player Alfie Hewett and golfer Rory McIlroy. You can read more about each nominee here.
Other awards being presented on the night are world sport star of the year, young sports personality of the year, coach of the year, team of the year, unsung hero and the Helen Rollason Award for outstanding achievement in the face of adversity. Former Liverpool player and manager Kenny Dalglish will receive the lifetime achievement award. Follow all the latest from the Salford ceremony with our dedicated blog below!
BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2023 latest
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Thanks for following along tonight.
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Here is the winner with the massive trophy.
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Mary Earps looks like she can't quite believe it, and is very touched by the win.
"First of all I’d like to say how humbled I am to be on a list of such incredible athletes. I’ve really enjoyed hearing your stories tonight and I’ve really loved hearing your stories tonight. congratulations to you all.
“Thanks for voting for me, everyone who voted for me; I probably should have said that first. For me, this is the ultimate all-round sporting accolade and this is just … wow.
"It’s not been the easiest journey and I wouldn’t be where I am today without having a number of incredible people in my corner, so I’d just like to say thank you to them.”
...and the winner is!
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Mary Earps!She becomes the second women's footballer to pick up the prize, a year after England team-mate Beth Mead.
Second place
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Stuart Broad!
Third place
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Katarina Johnson-Thompson!
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The top three will be announced.
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Next up will be the announcement of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2023.
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Now time for an In Memoriam, starting with a special tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton.
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You cannot say that is not fully deserved after a remarkable Treble-winning season.
Guardiola says: "Kyle Walker says this is such a prestigious award ... maybe in the future I can attend and enjoy a lovely, lovely night."
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Team and coach of the year goes to Manchester City and Pep Guardiola.
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Three more awards to go in about seven minutes.
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Bless him, he breaks down on stage when referring to his wife and then quickly makes a joke about it. A pro.
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He looks very nervous on stage!
He is joined by family, friends and former team-mates. Alan Hansen gives him the award.
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Now it's time for the lifetime achievement award, which goes to Kenny Dalglish!
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The world sports star of the year goes to... Erling Haaland!
He's currently in Saudi Arabia, of course.
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Bryan Habana narrates a great montage of the Rugby World Cup.
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"I stand here and I represent the care sector and the remarkable resilience our children show," she says.
"I'm calling for fundamental change so our children are safer, happier and healthier and can one day reach their potential, too."
Incredible speech.
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Fatima Whitbread is the winner of the Helen Rollason Award!
A very powerful video message before she comes on stage.
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A quick interview with Scotland captain Andy Robertson, and a classic joke from Gary Lineker about supporting the Auld Enemy at the Euros.
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What a great speech by Desmond Smith. Ends on a joke, too. A pro.
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It's the unsung hero award... which goes to Desmond Smith!
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Right, so now voting is open for the SPOTY!
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So, we move on to a quick recap of the boxing highlights of 2023. A brisk minute or so.
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Wait, it's not Rory time as he's not in the building. Tommy Fleetwood is on stage to discuss the Ryder Cup.
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It's Rory McIlroy time with a look back at a stunning Ryder Cup.
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After viewing a VT of interviews with her England team-mates and coach, Earps said: "That was a bit emotional, we don't usually speak about each other like this."
She adds: "It is beyond everything I could ever imagine, I can't believe I'm here... and I made that long walk [to the stage] in this dress and in these heels."
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That means it's time for bookies favourite Mary Earps.
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The Women's World Cup is getting the montage treatment now.
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Stuart Broad is on stage with Gary Lineker.
"Honestly, when I shook Stokesy's hand on the Friday night [to confirm my retirement], I could never have written a better script. To [grab a wicket] with my last ever ball, to beat Australia, was incredible.
"Cricket is my greatest hobby, so I want to stay in the game ... I'll definitely play part of the cricket family."
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Now a VT on Stuart Broad.
Young Sports Personality of the Year is...
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Mia Brookes!
The 16-year-old from Cheshire is a snowboarding world champion. Incredible achievement.
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Alfie Hewett, who has won 26 Grand Slams, says his disability is “the best thing that’s ever happened to me”.
“Tennis means everything to me,” he adds. “Being active, competitive and travelling the world … when I look at the career that I’ve had and to be on the stage here tonight, it’s something that I’m really grateful for."
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Wimbledon is recapped, including that remarkable men's final between Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic.
That brings us to Alfie Hewett...
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Now the story of Manchester City's stunning Treble-winning season, featuring the players, coaches and, of course, Noel Gallagher.
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Frankie Dettori joins via video link from a family holiday in Spain.
"As people know, I am emigrating to the USA and riding on Boxing Day, so I had to spend time with my family." He apologises for not being there in person.
"I'm already a winner, to get into the last six, be a nominee, is great. Apart from Stuart Broad, all the other nominees were not even born when I started!"
He is asked what changed his mind from retiring to moving to US racing. He pauses, put his head in his hands, talks about watching Ronaldo being benched in the World Cup and adds: "Whereever I went, I kept on winning... then asked if I was doing the right thing but told everyone I was quitting.
"I had to retire in Britain as they put so many farewell tours on for me, and gave me a statue at Ascot!
"The desire is still there, for I'm sorry everyone I shouldn't have said I was retiring!"
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A quick summary of the first half of the year, culminating with the London Marathon and a nice mention for Sir Mo Farah who retired this year after the Great North Run.
Sir Mo won the big prize six years ago.
Johnson-Thompson emotional on stage
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Katarina Johnson-Thompson is noticeably emotional on the stage after seeing clips of his struggles at the Tokyo Olympics and her remarkable world title in Budapest in the summer.
"That's the first time I've seen that VT... the strength came from my team around me; my coach, my partner, my mum. They rallied behind me and reminded me of the athlete I am today."
"I've seen rock bottom in many different forms ... my mantra was 'I'm not going to go out like this', and now I'm so happy."
She is the first nominee to be interviewed tonight.
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Frankie Detorri has sent a lovely message ahead of tonight's ceremony.
What an honour to be shortlisted for this evening's #SPOTY award.
You've made this year so special. Sport is nothing without fans. Yes, we might create the action, but you make the moment matter.
Whatever happens tonight, thank you all for making this such a year to remember. pic.twitter.com/EX2m1CMX1u— Frankie Dettori (@FrankieDettori) December 19, 2023
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Paula Radcliffe has arrived.
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...and here come Alex Scott, Clare Balding, Gabby Logan and Gary Lineker, introduced by Pete Tong!
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We begin with a montage of British sporting moments to live performance of Fatboy Slim's 'Right Here, Right Now'. Pretty good stuff.
Presenters
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Alex Scott, Gabby Logan and Clare Balding pose with the famous trophy.
Almost time!
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The ceremony is just minutes away.
What else is happening tonight?
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The BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2023 is decided by a public vote and announced at the end of tonight's show.
Other awards being presented on the night are world sport star of the year, young sports personality of the year, coach of the year, team of the year, unsung hero, the Helen Rollason Award for outstanding achievement in the face of adversity, and the lifetime achievement award.
Nominee: Rory McIlroy
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Rory McIlroy was Europe's top points-scorer at a stunning Ryder Cup victory, finished in the top 10 of 18 PGA Tour events, and won the Scottish Open.
He spent part of the year ranked as world no1 and finishes 2023 as world no2.
Nominee: Alfie Hewett
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Alfie Hewett won seven singles tennis tournaments this year, including the Australian and US Opens, and reached the finals of both the French Open and Wimbledon.
Alongside Gordon Reid in doubles, he won the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon titles. He finishes 2023 as world no1.
Nominee: Frankie Dettori
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Frankie Dettori bid farewell to British racing with a stellar year.
He won the 2000 Guineas on Chaldean, the Oaks on Soul Sister, the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot on Courage Mon Ami, and the Coronation Cup at Epsom on Emily Upjohn.
His final Ascot card saw him come from last to win the Champion Stakes on King Of Steel.
Nominee: Katarina Johnson-Thompson
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Katarina Johnson-Thompson this year overcame injury to win her second heptathlon World Championship title in Budapest.
It was a remarkable achievement, coming just two years after been ruled out of the Tokyo Olympics with an injury which saw her future in the sport under question.
Nominee: Stuart Broad
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Stuart Broad announced his retirement from cricket in the summer before helping England draw the Ashes series against Australia.
He took a wicket with his final ball bowled and hit a six with his last with the bat in an eye-catching send-off.
Nominee: Mary Earps
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England goalkeeper Mary Earps is the favourite to be named BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2023.
The Lionesses star has enjoyed a stunning 2023, which includes being named England Women player of the year, the FIFA Best Women's goalkeeper, finishing fifth in the Ballon d'Or and winning the inaugural Women’s Finalissima over Brazil. She saved a penalty in the World Cup final but was unable to prevent Spain from triumphing.
Earps, who kept a Super League record 14 clean sheets for Manchester United last season, has been installed as the clear frontrunner to pick up the award ahead of retired cricketer Stuart Broad, jockey Frankie Dettori, athlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson, wheelchair tennis player Alfie Hewett and golfer Rory McIlroy.
Earps' England team-mate Beth Mead last year became the first women's footballer to win the award since its introduction in 1954.
Latest odds
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Here's what the bookies are saying. Looks like it's going to be a good night for Mary Earps.
Mary Earps: 1/12
Stuart Broad: 10/1
Katrina Johnson Thompson: 18/1
Frankie Dettori: 25/1
Alfie Hewett: 25/1
Rory McIlroy: 100/1
Odds via Betfair.
SPOTY nominees
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Lionesses goalkeeper Mary Earps is the favourite to pick up the prize, 12 months after her England team-mate Beth Mead became the first women's footballer to win the award.
Also nominated are former cricketer Stuart Broad, jockey Frankie Dettori, athlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson, tennis player Alfie Hewett and golfer Rory McIlroy.
More to come on the nominees...
Where to watch BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2023
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TV channel: BBC One will broadcast the ceremony live and free-to-air in the UK, with coverage starting at 7pm GMT.
Live stream: The BBC Sport website and iPlayer will also air SPOTY online.
Welcome
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Good afternoon and welcome to the Standard's LIVE coverage of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2023!
It is one of the highlights of the British sporting calendar, with a host of awards being handed out and culminating in the top prize at the end of the evening.
Mary Earps is the clear frontrunner - more on that later - and Kenny Dalglish is set to be handed the lifetime achievement award.
The show kicks off at 7pm, so stick with us!