{"id":38092,"date":"2025-12-18T18:50:44","date_gmt":"2025-12-18T18:50:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/?p=38092"},"modified":"2025-12-18T18:50:44","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T18:50:44","slug":"bbc-sports-personality-of-the-year-2025-live-bbc-sports-personality-of-the-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/?p=38092","title":{"rendered":"BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025 \u2013 live | BBC Sports Personality of the Year"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Roll of honour<\/h2>\n

Here are the last 10 Spoty winners. Who\u2019s adding this name to the list tonight? The shot starts in around 10 minutes, so we\u2019ll find out soon enough*.<\/p>\n

2015 Andy Murray
2016 Andy Murray
2017 Mo Farah
2018 Geraint Thomas
2019 Ben Stokes
2020 Lewis Hamilton
2021 Emma Raducanu
2022 Beth Mead
2023 Mary Earps
2024 Keely Hodgkinson<\/p>\n

*In two hours and 10 minutes\u2019 time<\/em><\/p>\n

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More attendees arriving, including nominee Hannah Hampton, her England head coach Sarina Wiegman \u2013 fresh from winning coach of the year in the Netherlands \u2013 and the lifetime achievement recipient, Thierry Henry. I wonder if he\u2019ll get the award from a giggling Carra and Big Meeks later on.<\/p>\n

<\/span> Photograph: Dominic Lipinski\/Getty Images<\/span> Photograph: Dominic Lipinski\/Getty Images<\/span> Photograph: David Davies\/PAShare<\/p>\n

Lando Norris<\/h2>\n

Born: <\/strong>Bristol. Age: <\/strong>26. Sport: <\/strong>Motor racing.
Won in 2025: <\/strong>F1 drivers\u2019 world championship.<\/p>\n

British F1 world champions are among the nation\u2019s most treasured sporting figures, and Lando Norris\u2019s title saw him add his name to the pantheon, holding off a hard-charging Max Verstappen by just two points. After an initial McLaren procession turned into a thrilling three-way rivalry, Norris did the unexpected. He did not turn on teammate Oscar Piastri, or call on team orders to see him over the line.<\/p>\n

Yes, he\u2019s been behind the wheel of a winning car \u2013 McLaren won the constructors\u2019 title at a canter \u2013 but there were enough bumps in the road to derail lesser drivers. \u201cI just won it my way, I\u2019m happy I could go out and be myself,\u201d was Norris\u2019 typically understated verdict. This is not your typical F1 narrative of petulant paddock backstabbing, which is why Norris should be cherished. A Spoty crown to top it all feels right. Andy Martin<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/span>Lando Norris became the 11th British driver to win the world title.<\/span> Photograph: Zak Mauger\/LAT ImagesShare<\/p>\n

Rory McIlroy<\/h2>\n

Born: <\/strong>Holywood, Co Down. Age: <\/strong>36. Sport: <\/strong>Golf
Won in 2025: <\/strong>The Masters; Ryder Cup with Europe.<\/p>\n

The moment of this sporting year was delivered by Rory McIlroy. It was not simply that he won the Masters in April, but the theatric circumstances by which McIlroy became just the sixth man in history to complete a grand slam of majors turned heads way beyond golf, confirming his status as the UK\u2019s finest ever golfer.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Rory McIlroy finally gets his hands on the green jacket at Augusta National.<\/span> Photograph: Ben Jared\/PGA Tour<\/p>\n

McIlroy has delivered lessons in persistence, in chasing a dream that looked so likely to escape him. And if we are being true to the title of this award, McIlroy wins hands down. He has personality in abundance. He displayed it not only at Augusta but in New York, where he was front and centre for Europe\u2019s famous Ryder Cup triumph.<\/p>\n

There is a legitimate argument that McIlroy has not received the credit he deserves at home. He should have claimed the Spoty title in 2014, when he lost to Lewis Hamilton. This is the time to properly recognise his brilliance. Ewan Murray<\/strong><\/p>\n

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And here are recent Guardian interviews with that trio of elite athletes. Get reading!<\/p>\n

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Updated at\u00a013.11 EST<\/p>\n

Two more contenders for tonight\u2019s big prize have arrived in Salford: Chloe Kelly <\/strong>and Rory McIlroy<\/strong>!<\/p>\n

<\/span> Photograph: David Davies\/PA<\/span> Photograph: David Davies\/PAShare<\/p>\n

Luke Littler<\/h2>\n

Born: <\/strong>Warrington. Age: <\/strong>18. Sport: <\/strong>Darts.
Won in 2025: <\/strong>World Championship, world No 1 ranking and five more majors.<\/p>\n

Even Luke Littler doesn\u2019t think he should win this year: he won\u2019t be at the ceremony, instead endorsing Lando Norris. That said, it\u2019s hard to think what more he could have done: world champion, world No 1, World Matchplay and World Grand Prix champion, UK Open and Grand Slam champion, architect of the most frightening reign of dominance the sport has seen since Phil Taylor.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Luke Littler: on top of the darting world.<\/span> Photograph: Tom Jenkins\/The Guardian<\/p>\n

Not only that, Littler\u2019s emergence has transformed the landscape of professional darts, cutting through the snobbery and condescension that often accompanies it. Perhaps Littler\u2019s most significant impediment \u2013 in both this and future years \u2013 will be timing. The world championship final, the crowning achievement of the darting year, comes in January, a full 11 months before voting begins.<\/p>\n

The curse of repeated excellence is that after a while, everyone gets used to it. Perhaps Littler\u2019s best chance \u2013 as with Taylor in 2010, when he finished second to AP McCoy \u2013 is to wait for a quieter year and build a groundswell of momentum. That is, if he\u2019s bothered about Sports Personality in the slightest. Jonathan Liew<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Ellie Kildunne<\/strong> appears to be the first of our shortlisted six to arrive \u2013 although we already know Luke Littler isn\u2019t planning on showing up.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Ellie Kildunne arrives for the awards in Salford.<\/span> Photograph: David Davies\/PA<\/p>\n

Also on the red carpet are Jayne Torvill<\/strong> and Christopher Dean<\/strong> \u2013 the only people to share the award, back in 1984, and true sporting icons.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Torvill and Dean<\/span> Photograph: Martin Rickett\/PA<\/p>\n

Rising cricket star Davina Perrin<\/strong> is up for the young sports personality award. She was born in 2006, everyone.<\/p>\n

<\/span> Photograph: Martin Rickett\/PAShare<\/p>\n

Rory McIlroy is the bookies\u2019 favourite to win tonight \u2013 <\/strong>with Lando Norris and Chloe Kelly seen as his biggest rivals. As Sean Ingle reports, golf has a troubled history with this award \u2013 incredibly, only two golfers have ever won it.<\/p>\n

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Ellie Kildunne<\/h2>\n

Born: <\/strong>Keighley. Age: <\/strong>26. Sport: <\/strong>Rugby union
Won in 2025: <\/strong>Rugby World Cup with England.<\/p>\n

Ellie Kildunne\u2019s nomination is as unsurprising as it is deserved. She has had a sparkling year as part of a formidable Red Roses team, culminating in winning the Rugby World Cup. England\u2019s squad is full of talented players but Kildunne has become one of its stars, thanks to her style of play and scoring crucial tries.<\/p>\n

In 2025, Kildunne scored nine tries across the Six Nations and World Cup, but she is much more than her stats. The Harlequins full-back has grown as a role model, and is the first women\u2019s rugby players to make the Spoty shortlist. On the field, fans get to their feet to see what magic Kildunne will produce, and she more than delivered with a sizzling solo effort in the World Cup final. Sarah Rendell<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/span>Ellie Kildunne runs clear to score the opening try in the World Cup final against Canada.<\/span> Photograph: Tom Jenkins\/The GuardianShare<\/p>\n

Chloe Kelly<\/h2>\n

Born: <\/strong>London. Age: <\/strong>27. Sport: <\/strong>Football.
Won in 2025: <\/strong>Euro 2025 with England, Champions League with Arsenal.<\/p>\n

You could argue that Chloe Kelly has not played enough football for club or country to win a major individual award, but her position on this shortlist is reward for a year of game-changing impact. Her hop, skip, jump and strike from the penalty spot to seal a second straight European title for the Lionesses was probably enough.<\/p>\n

In a year which began with Kelly contemplating quitting football after being frozen out at Manchester City, her journey has been remarkable. Going public with her frustrations and deteriorating mental health, as her career stalled and a place in England\u2019s Euros squad looked increasingly at risk, forced City to let her join Arsenal on loan.<\/p>\n

Kelly returned to the club she left in 2018 and thrived, making a significant contribution to Arsenal\u2019s historic Champions League win before replicating her 2022 Euros final heroics three years on. \u201cTough times don\u2019t last \u2013 just around the corner was a Champions League final. I won that. Now a Euros final, I\u2019ve won that. So, thank you to everyone that wrote me off. I\u2019m grateful.\u201d Suzanne Wrack<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/span>For the second time, Chloe Kelly delivered the decisive touch to win the Euros for England.<\/span> Photograph: Jean-Christophe Bott\/EPAShare<\/p>\n

There are other prizes on offer tonight, including:<\/p>\n

World Sport Star of the Year:<\/strong> The nominees include athletics stars Armand Duplantis <\/strong>and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone<\/strong>, footballers Mohamed Salah <\/strong>and Mariona Caldentey, <\/strong>recently-retired boxer Terence Crawford <\/strong>and baseball phenomenon Shohei Ohtani.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Young Sports Personality: <\/strong>Three names on the shortlist here \u2013 Luke Littler, <\/strong>Euros hero Michelle Agyemang <\/strong>and teenage cricket sensation Davina Perrin<\/strong> \u2013 you can read more about her journey here.<\/p>\n

Team of the Year: <\/strong>It\u2019s between three sides who would coast to victory in most years \u2013 the England women\u2019s rugby team, England women\u2019s football team <\/strong>and Europe\u2019s Ryder Cup winners.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Helen Rollason Award: <\/strong>A special prize \u201crecognising outstanding achievement in the face of adversity.\u201d Recent winners include Rob Burrow, Fatima Whitbread and Mark Prince, who created the Kiyan Prince Foundation in honour of his late son.<\/p>\n

Lifetime Achievement Award: <\/strong>This year, it\u2019s going to football legend, viral pundit and coolest man alive, Thierry Henry<\/strong>. Va-va-voom!<\/em><\/p>\n

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Here are the reasons why each nominee might win tonight, using an entirely impartial alphabetical order and starting with \u2026<\/p>\n

Hannah Hampton<\/h2>\n

Born: <\/strong>Birmingham. Age: <\/strong>25. Sport: <\/strong>Football.
Won in 2025: <\/strong>Euro 2025 with England, domestic treble with Chelsea.<\/p>\n

No sporting event in 2025 gripped England quite like the Lionesses\u2019 Euros success and that euphoria would not have happened without Hannah Hampton\u2019s saves. The England keeper made crucial saves to deny Sweden and Italy on the way to the final, and then kept out two Spanish penalties in the crucial shootout.<\/p>\n

If that were not enough, Hampton also helped Chelsea win a domestic treble unbeaten and was the joint winner of the WSL\u2019s golden glove. She has achieved all this despite being born with a serious eye condition; doctors warned her she would not be able to play football. Instead, she has filled the sizeable gloves of England\u2019s previous No 1, Mary Earps, and thrived on the pressure that brought. Tom Garry<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/span>Hannah Hampton saves Aitana Bonmat\u00ed\u2019s penalty during the Euro 2025 final.<\/span> Photograph: Michael Probst\/APShare<\/p>\n

Preamble<\/h2>\n

When the BBC first launched their annual Sports Personality of the Year prize in 1954, Queen Elizabeth II was 18 months into her reign. Britain\u2019s most expensive footballer was Jackie Sewell, signed by Sheffield Wednesday for \u00a334,500. Formula One was a fledgling event with nine races a year. Women\u2019s football was banned by the FA, who deemed it to be \u201cnot a game for girls\u201d.<\/p>\n

The sporting landscape and the world around it has changed beyond all recognition since the Beeb handed the first trophy to Christopher Chataway. \u201cHis friend and fellow athlete Roger Bannister might have seemed a likelier winner,\u201d wrote the Telegraph, and thankfully we can only imagine the social media furore.<\/p>\n

While so much has changed, Sports Personality has remained largely the same; one headline winner at the end of a comfortably familiar ceremony that runs through the year\u2019s highlights. No big surprises, no huge drama or controversy \u2013 and after the deep cringe of the recent World Cup draw, a little decorum wouldn\u2019t go amiss.<\/p>\n

There are six names on this year\u2019s shortlist: Euro-winning England footballers Chloe Kelly<\/strong> and Hannah Hampton<\/strong>, Rugby World Cup winner Ellie Kildunne<\/strong>, Formula One world champion Lando Norris<\/strong>, Masters and Ryder Cup winner Rory McIlroy<\/strong> and the darts world champion and world No 1, Luke Littler<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Few Spoty shortlists have been so rich in silverware, and you could make a case for any one of them to win the award in a leaner year for British sport. But only one can take home the prize, after which \u2013 much like in 1954 \u2013 the audience will politely applaud, go home and get on with their lives. And that\u2019s the way we like it.<\/p>\n

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Key events Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature Roll of honour Here are the last 10 Spoty winners. Who\u2019s adding this name to the list tonight? The shot starts in around 10 minutes, so we\u2019ll find out soon enough*. 2015 Andy Murray2016 Andy Murray2017 Mo Farah2018 Geraint Thomas2019 Ben<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":38093,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[53],"tags":[7479,132,271,992,1569],"class_list":{"0":"post-38092","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports","8":"tag-bbc","9":"tag-live","10":"tag-personality","11":"tag-sports","12":"tag-year"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38092","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=38092"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38092\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/38093"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=38092"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=38092"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=38092"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}