Lewis Hamilton is odds-on favourite to be named BBC Sports Personality of the Year tonight as Celeste (and Rick Astley) arrive to provide the glamour
- Celebrities and sports personalities are arriving at socially-distanced awards ceremony in Salford tonight
- Lewis Hamilton favourite to win Sports Personality of the Year after winning seventh Formula 1 championship
- Captain Tom Moore opened the ceremony with a speech as a new award is named in the veteran’s honour
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Lewis Hamilton is the odds-on favourite to be named BBC Sports Personality of the Year as tonight’s ceremony gets underway – with performances coming up from Celeste and Rick Astley.
Captain Tom Moore introduced tonight’s ceremony on BBC One before Celeste opened the night’s entertainment.
Celebrities and sports personalities including Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson were pictured arriving at the socially-distanced awards night in Salford, Greater Manchester.
After winning his seventh Formula 1 world championship, Lewis Hamilton is favourite to win Sports Personality of the Year.
Others in contention include boxer Tyson Fury, cricketer Stuart Broad and jockey Holley Doyle.
Snooker ace Ronnie O’Sullivan and Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson complete this year’s line-up.
Lewis Hamilton is favourite to win this year’s Sports Personality of the Year award at a socially-distanced ceremony in Salford
Tyson Fury failed to appear on the show after demanding he be removed from this year’s list, saying he was the ‘people’s champion’.
Gabby Logan told viewers: ‘As you may have heard, Tyson has asked that people do not vote for him.
‘He’s decided not to engage with the show or accept any award and that is Tyson’s choice.’
Gary Lineker, said Fury was chosen as a finallist ‘on the strength of his sporting achievements in 2020’.
Cricketer Ben Stokes scooped the title last year, beating racing star Hamilton and sprinter Dina Asher-Smith.
Voting for this year’s winner is set to open later tonight, with the ceremony lasting until 10pm.
This year’s ceremony is being presented in front of a virtual crowd, while Rick Astley and Celeste are set to perform.
Manchester United star Marcus Rashford will be presented with a special award for his campaigning this year to help hungry children from poor backgrounds receive free school meals.
Singer Celeste opened this year’s ceremony and will perform Nat King Cole’s Smile later in the show, which will last until 10pm
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson is among seven finalist for the SPOTY award after captaining his side to Premier League glory earlier this year
Eighties icon Rick Astley will be performing to a virtual crowd during this year’s ceremony, which will also see a new award handed out – The Captain Tom: Young Unsung Hero
The World Sports Star of the Year has already been announced, with UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, receiving the title after retiring following an undefeated career.
After introducing this year’s ceremony, Captain Tom Moore, 100, who raised millions for the NHS in the early months of the pandemic has given his name to a new prize.
The Captain Tom: Young Unsung Hero award will see the Second World War veteran honour a youngster for their contribution to community sport.
Former Arsenal and England right back Alex Scott presenting this year’s awards alongside Clare Balding, Gary Lineker and Gabby Logan
BBC journalist Sally Hughes arrived at this year’s SPOTY awards in Salford, voting for this year’s winner is set to open later tonight
Actor and poet Deanna Rodger was among the personalities to attend this year’s ceremony, which has been organised to comply with social distancing measures