A guide to BBC Sports Personality of the Year

It’s that time of year again and the waiting is almost over as we find out the winner of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year for 2018 on Sunday night in Birmingham.

The format of the competition has changed this year, with the nominees due to be revealed on the night of the show for the very first time in its history.

Despite this, the performances of Britain’s sporting stars over the course of the year have ensured there is plenty of speculation as to who will take the crown which was won by Sir Mo Farah in 2017.

Here is our guide to everything you need to know about BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

Possible nominees

With the addition of the nominees only revealed on the night it will certainly add even more excitement to the event.

Although no-one knows officially who is on the shortlist, a string of top performances over the course of the year from some of the countries top sporting stars gives us something to go on.

Cyclist Geraint Thomas became the first Welshman to win the Tour de France this year, while Lewis Hamilton picked up his fifth Formula 1 title and it is hard to not see them being in the mix on the night.

Ronnie O’Sullivan’s recent win at the UK Championships has ensured there is some clamour for ‘The Rocket’ to be on the shortlist as he is now the most decorated snooker player to have ever graced the game.

Another likely addition to the nominees is Tyson Fury, who returned to the ring earlier this month and produced a great performance in his draw against Deontay Wilder over in America for the WBC heavyweight title.

The favourite to take the award is England and Tottenham Hotspur captain Harry Kane and it is hard to see anyone stopping him collecting the accolade.

The two-time Premier League golden boot winner spearheaded England’s World Cup heroics which saw them lose out in the semi-final to Croatia.

He scored six goals to bring home the golden boot at the tournament, the first Englishman to do so since Gary Lineker back in 1986.

Other likely nominees include swimming’s Adam Peaty, former England cricket captain Alastair Cook and athletics’ Dina Asher-Smith.

Sports Personality of the Year past winners

The BBC Sports Personality of the Year has been running since 1954, with athletics’ Chris Chataway becoming the first winner.

The sport of athletics has the most number of winners going into this year’s event, with 18 having taken home the top prize

Second is Formula 1 with seven winners, with tennis and football next with six and five winners respectively.

Here is a list of all the previous winners of the competition

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