BBC Sports Personality of the Year: Rory McIlroy and Lewis Hamilton arrive as the best of British sport gather in Glasgow

• Rory McIlroy is favourite to win BBC Sports Personality of the Year
• His main rival for the award is Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton
• The awards ceremony is being held at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow
• Sir Chris Hoy will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement award 

By STUART FRASER FOR MAILONLINE 

PUBLISHED: 18:45, 14 December 2014 | UPDATED: 19:50, 14 December 2014

The great and the good of British sport are arriving at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow ahead of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards ceremony.

World No 1 golfer Rory McIlroy is the favourite for this year's award after picking up two majors at the Open and the US PGA Championship, as well as helping Europe to victory in the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.

The Northern Irishman dashed up to Glasgow from Old Trafford on Sunday after watching Manchester United beat Liverpool 3-0 in the Premier League. 

World No 1 golfer Rory McIlroy arrives in Glasgow after dashing up from Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon

Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton arrives on the red carpet along with his dog Roscoe

Hamilton walks down the red carpet in Glasgow on Sunday as his pet dog Roscoe slowly follows

Boxer Carl Froch (right), on the SPOTY shortlist, arrives in Glasgow with fiancee Rachael Cordingley

Sir Chris Hoy poses on the red carpet as he arrives to be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award

Sochi 2014 gold medallist Lizzy Yarnold (left) poses for the cameras, and Paula Radcliffe arrives (right)

Retired swimmer Rebecca Adlington arrives (left), as does former gymnast Beth Tweddle (right)

Europe's 2014 Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley (right) arrives at the ceremony with his daughter

Former Southampton manager Lawrie McMenemy (back) joins Scottish singer Susan Boyle on the red carpet

2014 BBC SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR CONTENDERS 

Gareth Bale (Football)

Charlotte Dujardin (Dressage)

Carl Froch (Boxing)

Kelly Gallagher & Charlotte Evans (Alpine skiing)

Lewis Hamilton (Formula One)

Rory McIlroy (Golf)

Jo Pavey (Athletics)

Adam Peaty (Swimming)

Max Whitlock (Gymnastics)

Lizzy Yarnold (Skeleton)

McIlroy told the BBC: 'It's been a great year. It's been the best year to date in my career.

'It's great to be here. To be nominated is an accumulation of everything you've achieved. It's great to be in such company.'

McIlroy's main rival for the award is Lewis Hamilton, who last month won his second Formula One world title after a thrilling battle with Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg.

Hamilton, who arrived on the red carpet with dog Roscoe, said: 'It's great to be here. I've taken my dog with me on holiday.

'I haven't stopped since Abu Dhabi, it's been amazing. It's been so much better than the first world title. It's just been a whirlwind. I'm not bothered to have not had many days off.

'I don't think it has really sunk in yet. I just think 'wow we won the world championship.' I just have to pinch myself.

'Normally I'm away at this point of the year but I've had the most incredible support and this is one of the fans' most enjoyable events. I was asked to come, I grew up watching this show and wanted to come back.' 

Former rugby union player and England international Jonny Wilkinson (right) is all smiles with his wife

The England women's rugby team, winners of this year's World Cup, pose for a group shot on Sunday

Retired track cyclist Victoria Pendleton (left), and English diver Tom Daley (right) in Glasgow

British Paralympian Ellie Simmonds smiles for the cameras as she arrives at the SSE Hydro

English gymnast Claudia Fragapane (left) is in Glasgow, as is British Fed Cup captain Judy Murray (right)

BBC SPOTY LIST OF AWARDS 

Sports Personality of the Year

Team of the Year

Coach of the Year

Overseas Sports Personality of the Year

Young Sports Personality of the Year 

Helen Rollason Award 

Lifetime Achievement Award - Sir Chris Hoy

Unsung Hero 

Also on the shortlist is Gareth Bale, Charlotte Dujardin, Carl Froch, Kelly Gallagher & Charlotte Evans, Jo Pavey, Adam Peaty, Max Whitlock and Lizzy Yarnold.

One of the first to arrive in Glasgow on Sunday was Sir Chris Hoy, the former track cyclist who will be honoured with the Lifetime Achievement award at the ceremony. 

Hoy said: 'I would have said my first gold medal at the Athens Olympics couldn't be topped, until London 2012. The last medal was so emotional. When I watch the video of it now, I still get goosebumps.

'Every time I watch a bike race, I want to be out there. I was at the World Cup in London, and I wanted to be out there. But it was great to watch the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.'

Carl Fogarty, the most successful world superbike racer of all time, arrives in the Scottish city

Scottish athlete Lynsey Sharp (left), and snowboarder Jenny Jones smiles for the cameras (right)

Northern Irish jockey and 2010 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Tony McCoy is suited and booted

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/article-2873663/Rory-McIlroy-arrives-Glasgow-best-British-sport-gather-BBC-Sports-Personality-Year-awards.html#ixzz3LuALs6Hw
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

127 Olympians led by Sir Wiggo scoop New Year honours

Gongs galore: 127 Olympians led by Sir Wiggo scoop New Year honours - but there's no Sir Mo Farah or Dame Jess Ennis

• Olympic athletes,coaches and organisers comprise 10% of honours list
• UK's first Tour de France winner Wiggins to be given knighthood
• Paralympic cycling champion Sarah Storey is to be made a dame
• Four-time Olympic gold medalist Ben Ainslie also to be knighted
• CBEs for Jessica Ennis, Mo Farah, David Weir and Victoria Pendleton
• Wiggins describes his 'disbelief' and says it is 'an incredible honour'

By EMILY ANDREWS

PUBLISHED: 00:00, 29 December 2012 | UPDATED: 10:21, 29 December 2012

Arise Sir Wiggo: Bradley Wiggins, Britain's first Tour de France champion, has been given a knighthood in the New Year's honours list

Britain's Olympic heroes have been rewarded for  their success with a record number of gongs in the New Year honours list.

The athletes, coaches and organisers who brought delight to the nation this summer dominate the list like no other group before them.

A staggering 127 awards have been handed out to those involved – more than 10 per cent of the total. The figure is unprecedented in the 122-year history of the list.

Among the 78 athletes and coaches honoured were cyclist Bradley Wiggins and sailor Ben Ainslie, who both received knighthoods.

Sir Bradley, as he will be known, made sporting history this year by becoming the first Briton to win the Tour de France, and followed the feat by scooping an Olympic gold, as well as being crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year. 

He heads a sparkling list of sporting heroes, including Paralympic cyclist Sarah Storey, who was made a dame, and Jessica Ennis, Victoria Pendleton, Mo Farah and David Weir, who all received CBEs.

Wiggins, affectionately known as Wiggo, said: ‘It’s quite something really. I never imagined that I would ever become a knight, so it’s an incredible honour, but there’s a slight element of disbelief, and it will take a while  to sink in. There was never any doubt whether I’d accept it or not, it was more a case that I never saw myself as a Sir, and I probably never will.’ 

The honours crown a year of excellence in British sport – so much so that a special honours list was added to recognise the 65 medals, 29 of them gold, won at this year’s Olympic Games, as well as the 120 medals – including 34 golds – won at the Paralympic Games.

There was also recognition for those behind the Games. Lord Coe, who headed London’s bid team, becomes a Companion of Honour, while Jean Tomlin, who led the Games Maker programme for volunteers to help the event run smoothly, gets an OBE.

Scroll down for video

Knight of the road: Wiggins followed his Tour de France triumph with an Olympic gold and was also named BBC Sports Personality of the Year

King Cool: Bradley Wiggins, pictured right in Manchester on Thursday night, said: 'It’s quite something really. I never imagined that I would ever become a knight'

But eyebrows were raised that Mo Farah received only a CBE for his historic double track triumph in the 5000m and 10000m. In 2005, Kelly Holmes was made a dame for winning both the 400m and 800m at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Heptathlete gold medallist and London 2012 poster girl  Jessica Ennis will also have to be content with a CBE. 

Andy Murray, who won Olympic tennis gold before becoming Britain’s first men’s Grand Slam champion for 76 years, can perhaps count himself unlucky to receive just an OBE.

It was also noted that while Sarah Storey was made a dame after her four golds at 2012, her Paralympic teammate, wheelchair athlete David Weir, who also got four golds, was made merely a CBE.

There was no mention of Danny Boyle, creator of the epic Olympics opening ceremony, who reportedly turned down a knighthood, or Stephen Daldry, who staged the closing party.

VIDEO Sir Bradley will take some getting used to 

Play Video

Champion: Ben Ainslie, who won four successive Olympic sailing golds, has received a knighthood in the list

Supreme: Sarah Storey is the UK's most successful ever Paralympian and is to be made a dame

There was also nothing for cyclist Chris Hoy, who with six gold medals became Britain’s most successful ever Olympian during the Games, because he had already been knighted after his heroics at the previous Olympics in Beijing.

In 2008, when Britain came fourth in the Olympics’ medal table at Beijing, 54 honours were awarded in the New Year honours list.

Storey, 35, who now has 11 Paralympic gold medals in total and is pregnant with her first child, said: ‘I can’t believe the number of times we’ve said this year, “Oh, can 2012 possibly get any better?” We feel so fortunate that 2012 will always stand out as being the most incredible year.

‘2012 has been quite amazing. I am still pinching myself, literally.’ 

Nation's favourite: Jessica Ennis, who was the face of the Olympics for home fans, received CBEs after her heptathlon triumph in London

Inspiring: Jessica Ennis was the London 2012 poster girl and finished closely behind Bradley Wiggins in the running to be BBC Sports Personality of the Year

Besides Wiggins and Ainslie, the most decorated sailor in Olympic history with four gold medals at four consecutive Games, knighthoods also go to Dave Brailsford and David Tanner, performance directors at British Cycling and British Rowing.

Ainslie said: ‘This is an incredible honour. When I set out Olympic sailing 20 years ago, I never would have dreamt this would happen.’ 

CBEs also went to rower Katherine Grainger and cyclist Victoria Pendleton.

Lady in red: Jessica Ennis attends the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards in London

OBEs go to equestrians Sophie Christiansen and Charlotte Dujardin, Paralympic swimmer Ellie Simmonds and cycling couple Laura Trott and Jason Kenny.

Among those to get MBEs are boxer Nicola Adams; canoeist Timothy Baillie; equestrians Laura Bechtolsheimer and Carl Hester; rowers Katherine Copeland and Helen Glover; wheelchair racer ‘Hurricane’ Hannah Cockcroft; and Paralympic swimmer Josef Craig.

Triathlon gold medallist Alistair Brownlee gets an MBE but brother Jonathan, who took bronze, misses out, while the MBE also goes to Welsh taekwondo gold medallist Jade Jones, Paralympic blade runner Jonnie Peacock, long jump hero Greg Rutherford and silver medal gymnast turned Strictly Come Dancing star Louis Smith.

‘To receive this honour is out of this world and something I never would have dreamt of as I grew up in the sport of gymnastics,’ said Smith, 23.

‘This year has been like no other for so many reasons.

‘For me it’s obviously one I’ll never forget and I wasn’t sure it could get any better, but to be awarded an MBE is the icing on the cake and without a doubt the proudest moment of my life.

‘I just hope this acts as even more inspiration for future generations within sport in this country, further continuing the Olympic legacy.’ 

Swimmer Simmonds, 18, who won two more golds at London 2012 making her a four-time Paralympic champion, said: ‘It’s been a great honour to be included in the list which caps an amazing year for me personally and for British sport.’ 

VIDEO Rowing hero Helen Glover MBE 'an incredible privilege' 

Play Video

The honours also recognise those who contributed to London 2012 in a ‘non-sporting capacity’, with 49 ‘back-room’ staff from Paul Deighton, who was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire, down to a MBE for volunteer Muhammed Khan.

Away from sport, the Companion of Honour goes to Professor Peter Higgs, namesake of the Higgs boson or so-called ‘God particle’, which was finally proved to exist in July, 48 years after he first proposed it.

No Sir Mo: Mo Farah's gold medal-winning triumphs provided fans with two of the London Olympics greatest moments

Lightning: Mo Farah missed out on a knighthood but has been awarded a CBE

Recognition: Cyclist Victoria Pendleton, who appeared on this year's Strictly Come Dancing, has been awarded a CBE

Recognised with an MBE in the Diplomatic and Overseas list was also Captain Raymond ‘Jerry’ Roberts, 92, one of the four founder members of Bletchley Park’s Testery section, tasked with breaking the German top-level code during the Second World War.

An MBE also goes to Penelope Clough, 53, who set up the Justice For Jane Campaign with husband John after her daughter was murdered by her ex-partner in 2010 while he was on bail.

Sport makes up about 10 per cent of this year’s awards, education 10 per cent, health 7 per cent, and industry and the economy make up 12 per cent.

A Cabinet Office spokesman said an unprecedented number of people from the sporting world had received honours.

He said: ‘As we’ve seen with the special list for Olympians and Paralympians, there is a desire to continue to expand the honours system and make sure we’re extending the reach.’ 

Northern star: Tennis champion Andy Murray enjoyed his most successful ever year as a tennis player winning both Olympic gold and the U.S. Open

Golden girl: Swimmer Ellie Simmonds has been awarded an OBE, making the list despite being only 18-years-old

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2254424/New-Year-honours-list-127-Olympians-led-Bradley-Wiggins.html#ixzz2GR3Ki85v
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

Cyclist Bradley Wiggins crowned Sports Personality of the Year, Jessica Ennis in second, Andy Murray third

Cyclist Bradley Wiggins crowned Sports Personality of the Year after historic victory in Tour de France and stunning Olympic gold

• Wiggins presented award by Duchess of Cambridge in her first public appearance since falling ill
  
• Heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis in second, tennis star Andy Murray third
• London 2012 chairman Lord Sebastian Coe wins Lifetime Achievement award 
• Swimmer Josef Craig, 15, crowned Young Sports Personality of the Year
• Won London 2012 gold after smashing world record in 400m freestyle S7
• Martine Wright wins Helen Rollason Award for 'achievement in adversity'
• Lost both legs in 7/7 bombings, but went on to compete in sitting volleyball

By SIMON TOMLINSON

PUBLISHED: 18:00, 16 December 2012 | UPDATED: 23:46, 16 December 2012

Cyclist Bradley Wiggins was crowned Sports Personality of the Year tonight in recognition of his historic triumph in the Tour de France and stunning gold in the Olympics time trial.

The 32-year-old was presented the award at a star-studded ceremony by the Duchess of Cambridge who made her first public appearance since falling ill with severe morning sickness.

Olympic heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis was runner-up while U.S. tennis champion and London 2012 gold medallist Andy Murray came third in the public vote.

Scroll down for video

An extraordinary 2012: Bradley Wiggins kisses his trophy after being named Sports Personality of the Year in recognition of his victories in the Tour de France and Olympics time trial

In good company: Wiggins accepts his award from the duchess in front of an audience of sports stars and celebrities at the London ExCeL centre

Thanked those who voted for him: The 32-year-old delivers his winner's speech as a smiling duchess looks on

By Royal appointment: The award was announced by England footballer David Beckham (left) before being handed to him by the duchess

VIDEO: Wiggins wins again: Hero Bradley receives his award from Kate... 

Play Video

The duchess also handed the Lifetime Achievement Award to London 2012 chairman Lord Coe.

The prize recognises his remarkable career as an athlete and his huge contribution to sport in the UK, including the vital role he played in the success of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Lord Coe became chairman of the board for the London 2012 bid team in 2004 and was pivotal in transforming the city's campaign to host the Games, it said.

His final speech that secured London as the hosts is remembered as a truly inspirational moment, focusing on the need to engage young people in sport to create the next generation of champions.

Olympics poster girl: The Duchess with runner-up Jessica Ennis, who was recognised for her gold-winning performance in the heptathlon at London 2012

Smashing: Third-placed Andy Murray seen on videolink accepting his award from boxer Lennox Lewis (left) in recognition of his U.S. open win and Olympic gold medal

Legend: The duchess also presented London 2012 chairman Lord Coe with the Lifetime Achievement Award

Keen to pay tribute to nation's sportsmen and women: The Duchess of Cambridge chats to Ennis backstage after the ceremony

Britain's top sport stars gathered to celebrate their greatest-ever year at the Excel Arena in London.

Olympic and Paralympic heroes dominated this year's shortlist, with golfer Rory McIlroy the only one of the 12 nominees not to have won medals at London 2012 this summer.

Cyclist Bradley Wiggins, who was announced the winner by David Beckham, was the bookmakers' odds-on favourite after his historic triumph in the Tour de France and gold in the Olympics time trial, followed by heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis.

Mo Farah, double gold medallist in the 5,000 metres and 10,000m, had been ranked third-favourite with the bookies.

King of the track: Double gold medallist Mo Farah talks to Gary Lineker about his Olympic success in the 5,000m and 10,000m

Making history: Nicola Adams (right) became the first woman to win an Olympic boxing Gold medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics

Blazing entrance: Four-time Olympic gold medal sailor Ben Ainslie, who is on the award shortlist, walks on stage carrying a flare

Blinding performance: Ainslie took gold in the Olympics, World Cup and World Championships and was also named ISAF World Sailor of the Year

Hopeful: Heptathlon gold medallist Jessica Ennis (right) speaks to presenter Sue Barker on stage about her achievements at London 2012

But he was pipped to the podium by Andy Murray, who became the first British man to win a grand slam singles title for 76 years when he triumphed in the US Open and won an Olympic gold.

The list of nominees had been extended from 10 to 12 this year to reflect the incredible year for British sport.

The first award of the night went to swimmer Josef Craig, 15, who was crowned Young Sports Personality of the Year.

Josef, who has cerebral palsy, was the youngest Paralympic gold medallist at London 2012, after smashing his own world record in the 400m freestyle S7 final.

Getting it underway: Presenters (l-r) Clare Balding, Gary Lineker and Sue Barker host the awards ceremony

Prince of the pool: Swimmer Josef Craig (second left) is named young Sports Personality of the Year after becoming the youngest Paralympic gold medallist at London 2012

Swimming star: Clare Balding (left) chats with Ellie Simmonds, who is on the shortlist after winning two Paralympic golds, one silver and a bronze in the pool

'I would just like say big thanks to everyone involved in me getting my gold,' the South Shields teenager said.

'It was a big shock for me. I don't expect it at all. That was just an amazing part of my life.'

Martine Wright, who lost her legs in the London bombings on July 7, 2005, and competed in the sitting volleyball at the 2012 Paralympics, won the Helen Rollason Award.

This is presented in memory of the BBC presenter who died in 1999 at the age of 43 after suffering from cancer, and is given for outstanding achievement in the face of adversity.

Wright said: 'I am absolutely honoured to be here. I count myself lucky to have survived that awful day, and that I’ve made an incredible journey, the last seven years.'

Celebrating achievements: Katherine Grainger (centre left) on stage with Clare Balding (centre right) and the Team GB Rowers during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards

Poignant: Martine Wright (centre), winner of the Helen Rollason award for 'outstanding achievement in the face of adversity, with PC Elizabeth Kenworthy MBE who saved her life in the July 7 bombings

Treasured memories: Gary Lineker (right) talks to Manchester City stars Sergio Aguero (left) and Vincent Kompany about the club's Premier League triumph, which was won with virtually the last kick of the season

In contention: Rower Katherine Grainger, who won gold in the double sculls, on stage with Clare Balding

Multiple champion: Track cyclist Sarah Storey (left), who won four golds at the 2012 Paralympic Games, recalls her success with Sue Barker

She thanked the emergency services and medical staff who did so much. 'And I will never forget the 52 people that sadly lost their lives, so this is definitely for them as well.'

Odds on Ennis taking the award had been slashed from 9/1 to 4/1 in the 48 hours before the ceremony, putting her close behind Wiggins, who was odds-on to win.

Speaking before the ceremony, William Hill spokesman Rupert Adams said: 'There is no doubt that momentum has swung away from Bradley and Jess is steaming up on the outside. The only question is has she left her run too late?'

In the running: Olympic heptathlon gold medallist Jessica Ennis arrives for the Sports Personality of the year awards hoping to claim another victory

Second favourite: Bookmakers have taken a late flurry of bets on Ennis (pictured with her fiance Andy Hill) taking the title

Black and gold: Cyclist Victoria Pendleton took the keirin title and won silver in the sprint at London 2012

Girl power: Pendleton was joined at the ceremony by Jade Jones (right) who won gold in the taekwondo 

David Weir, the wheelchair athlete who won four golds in London, and four-time Paralympic swimming champion Ellie Simmonds had led the Paralympians with the bookies.

The strength of competition meant the only two British women to win double gold medals at the Olympics - cyclist Laura Trott and dressage rider Charlotte Dujardin - did not make the shortlist.

Fellow Olympians Greg Rutherford, Victoria Pendleton, and Alistair Brownlee, along with Europe's Ryder Cup hero Ian Poulter, also missed out.

Doing the Mobot! Double Olympic gold medal distance runner Mo Farah strikes his trademark pose with wife Tania and step-daughter Rihanna

Red carpet treatment: Presenter Helen Skelton (left), England rugby captain Chris Robshaw and his girlfriend Camilla Kerslake (right) arrive for the Sports Personality of the Year Awards at London's ExCeL arena

The nominees were chosen by an expert panel including national newspaper sports editors and three former award nominees, Sir Steve Redgrave, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson and Denise Lewis.

The panel also selected the winners of the coach of the year, team of the year and overseas personality.

It was announced earlier in the day that the Duchess of Cambridge would be attending the event in the first sign that she is slowly recovering from the acute sickness that has plagued her first few weeks of pregnancy.

Golden girls: Former heptathlon champion Denise Lewis (left), who has twice been runner-up in the Sports Personality of the Year awards, and Amy Williams, who won gold in the skeleton at the 2010 Winter Olympics

Ready for a great night: Former Olympic swimmer-turned-commentator Karen Pickering

All smiles: Weightlifter Zoe Smith (left), who broke the British clean and jerk record at London 2012, and 1972 pentathlon gold medallist Dame Mary Peters (right)

Proud: Paralympian Hannah Cockroft poses with the gold medals she won in the T34 100m and 200m in London

Anticipation: Marathon runner Paula Radcliffe (left), who was forced to pull out of London 2012 with a foot injury, smiles for the cameras, while Bronze medal gymnast Beth Tweddle arrives with boyfriend Steven Cryer (right)

She was only at the event for around 45 minutes, but sources have told MailOnline she was keen to pay tribute to the nation's sportsmen and women in what has been an incredible year. 

Husband Prince William was not able to attend as he is back at work as an RAF search and rescue pilot on Anglesey.

A St James's Palace spokesman said: 'The Duchess of Cambridge will tonight attend the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year Awards at the ExCeL London, where Her Royal Highness will present the Lifetime Achievement and the main Sports Personality of the Year Awards.

Athlete Christine Ohuruogu (left), who won silver in the 400m and swimmer Rebecca Adlington, who claimed two bronze medals in the 400m and 800m

Cyclist Joanna Rowsell (left), who won gold in the team pursuit at London 2012, and rower Katherine Grainger (right), who has made it onto the shortlist after winning gold in the double sculls

Queen of the pool: Ellie Simmonds won two golds, a silver and bronze at the 2012 Paralympics

Diving bronze medallist Tom Daley (left) and ice skater Jane Torvill, who won gold at the 1984 Winter Olympics

On the shortlist: Sailor Ben Ainslie (left) has a chance of taking the title after winning his fourth Olympic gold medal in London, while former cricket umpire Dickie Bird (right) strikes a familiar pose

'The Duchess will attend the event in response to a longstanding invitation from the BBC.‪‪'

Along with her husband and brother in law Prince Harry, Kate was a Team GB Ambassador at the Olympics this summer.

The main award will be chosen by public vote and announced at the Sports Personality of the Year show.

Shortlist (in alphabetical order): Nicola Adams (Olympic boxing), Ben Ainslie (Olympic sailing), Jessica Ennis (Olympic heptathlon), Mo Farah (Olympic 5,000m and 10,000m), Katherine Grainger (Olympic rowing), Sir Chris Hoy (Olympic cycling), Rory McIlroy (world number one golfer and USPGA champion), (Andy Murray, Olympic tennis and US Open champion), Ellie Simmonds (Paralympic swimming), Sarah Storey (Paralympic cycling), David Weir (Paralympic wheelchair athlete), Bradley Wiggins (Olympic cycling and Tour de France winner).

The ceremony was shown live on BBC1 from 7.30pm.

THE SHORTLIST... AND WHAT THEY WON IN 2012

Nicola Adams - Olympic gold winner and placed second at the World Championships

Ben Ainslie - Took gold in the Olympics, World Cup and World Championships. Also named ISAF World Sailor of the Year

Jessica Ennis - Silver at the World Indoor Championships, gold in the Olympic heptathlon

Mo Farah - Double Olympic gold medal winner

Katherine Grainger - gold medal in the Olympic double sculls, as well as winning all three World Cups

Sir Chris Hoy - Gold in the World Cup, World Championships and the London Games

Rory McIlroy - Both money list titles, Honda Classic, PGA Championship, Deutsche Bank Championship, DP World Tour Championship, Ryder Cup

Andy Murray - Finally bagged his first Slam, the US Open, as well as Olympic gold and a silver in the doubles.

Ellie Simmonds - Double Paralympic gold, as well as a silver and a bronze

Sarah Storey - quadruple gold at the 2012 Paralympics and a double gold at the UCI Para-Cycling Track World Championships

David Weir - Four Paralympic gold medals and a gold in the European Athletics Championships

Bradley Wiggins - Tour de France champion and Olympic road race winner

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2249050/Sports-Personality-Year-Stars-arrive-awards-bookies-late-flurry-bets-Olympic-heptathlon-gold-medallist-Jessica-Ennis-taking-title.html#ixzz2FGVjNePb
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook