Keely Hodgkinson has been named BBC Sports Personality of the Year after a phenomenal year on the track.
The athlete was the favourite to win the historic title and is now the fourth woman in a row to win SPOTY after Emma Raducanu, Beth Mead and Mary Earps.
The athlete was up against some stiff competition following a formidable year of sports with the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris earlier this year, as well as Wimbledon, the EUROs and several World Cups this year alone.
The phenomenal sportswoman beat out superstar darts player Luke, triathlete Alex Yee, footballer Jude Bellingham, para-cyclist Sarah Storey, cricketer Joe Root as well as Luke Littler for the historic title.
Earlier in the night, the Olympic 800 metres champion set hearts racing on the red carpet tonight wearing a chic black backless dress, with glamorous sheer sleeves covering her hands.
After being presented the award by former winners Sir Chris Hoy and Mary Earps, the Olympian confessed she was in a ‘little bit of shock.’
‘I’m actually more excited for my coach to be honest! This year has been absolutely incredible for me,’ she added.
‘I am so grateful to be in this position. I wish you all a wonderful evening, thank you so much!’
Keely Hodgkinson has been named BBC Sports Personality of the Year after a phenomenal year on the track
The athlete was the favourite to win the historic title and is now the fourth woman in a row to win SPOTY after Emma Raducanu , Beth Mead and Mary Earps
Keely Hodgkinson Olympic 800 metres champion is the odds-on favourite to be crowned SPOTY in Salford on Tuesday night ahead of 17-year-old darts sensation Luke Littler
Great Britain’s Keely Hodgkinson celebrating winning the Women’s 800m final at the Olympics in Paris earlier this year
Speaking on tonight’s red carpet, Hogkinson said: ‘I am representing track and field tonight and it would be really great to win and put our sport up there and showcase not just myself, but all the incredible athletes we have right now.
‘It would be amazing to win. You look at the names down the list, not just track and field, you have got Andy Murray, Lewis Hamilton, British icons, so it would be great to put my name up there as well, so fingers crossed.’
During the ceremony, the sportswoman spoke of her talent and passion for track and field, adding that life had been ‘amazing’ since Paris.
‘I get the best out of my self when I have something to aim for.’ she explained.
‘I took great inspiration from Jessica Ennis-Hill at London 2012. You start to dream into your teenage years.
‘There is definitely a difference. It’s been amazing ever since Paris, I have had people come up to me with such amazing messages saying their kids love to watch it.’
She previously said that it would bring her more joy to see her mentor and coach Trevor Painter win Coach of the Year – a category which includes Wigan Warriors boss Matt Peet and USA’s ex-Chelsea women’s manager Emma Hayes.
Not only has Painter led Hodgkinson to gold in Paris, he also guided Georgia Bell a bronze medal in the 1500m as well as Lewis Davey to a bronze in the men’s 4x400m relay.
‘It would be even better than me winning it,’ said Hodgkinson when asked about the prospect of Painter triumphing in his category. ‘I think he deserves it so much.
‘I’m not sure of any other coach this year that has put forward as much as he has in getting three Olympic medals within our training group.
Gabby Logan, Clare Balding and Alex Scott holding the historic trophy for Sports Personality of the Year
Keely Hodgkinson speaks to Gabby Logan during the 2024 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards
Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson leads the nominees for the 2024
Gold medalist Keely Hodgkinson of Team Great Britain celbrates with coach Trevor Painter at the Paris Olympic Games
Keely Hodgkinson arriving for the 2024 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award
‘He just creates such a fun environment for us all that makes us want to keep coming and keep working hard.
‘He’s got a really good work ethic and he believes in all of us. That’s what has helped us achieve so much on the track.’
A close contender for the Sports Personality of the Year, Luke Littler explained his lifetime obsession with darts, quipping that his dad ‘decided to hang up’ his football boots for him.
Littler was launched to stardom at the beginning of the year when he reached the Darts World Championship final.
He later went on to bag the win in the Premier League – as well as his first major Grand Slam of Darts back in November all at the age of 17.
‘Our lives have changed and we’ve had to get on with it,’ he said: ‘When you’re playing darts for that long, constantly throwing at the same segment, it all adds up.
‘I know myself, if I want it then I can definitely do it for another 25 or 30 years.’
Also hoping to bag the title England batter, Joe Root has continued to deliver top cricket on the international stage.
In October, Root surpassed former team-mate Alistair Cook’s run tally of 12,472 to become the country’s all-time Test run leading scorer.
He told the BBC from New Zealand: ‘It’s been great fun to play in a team where you all get along with each other.
‘It’s been a hell of a journey from start to finish. It seems to be getting more and more enjoyable.
Luke Littler(Pictured) is also among the nominees after a sensational year in darts
Littler was launched to stardom at the beginning of the year when he reached the Darts World Championship final
He later went on to bag the win in the Premier League – as well as his first major Grand Slam of Darts back in November all at the age of 17.
‘To go past Cooky [as England’s highest Test run scorer of all-time], a mentor and a friend, was obviously nice and I got a call from him as well.
‘We spend a lot of time together, it’s a massive part of what brings us our success.’
Triathlete Alex Yee spoke of his passion for sport, after turning silver into gold at this years Olympics dramatically passing Hayden Wilde in the closing stages of the triathlon in Paris.
‘It’s all about not giving up, particularly in that moment when I wasn’t having my best day,’ he told Alex Scott tonight.
‘For me, I’d come such a long way and worked so hard. I got the silver medal in Tokyo and that was amazing but I didn’t want to settle.’
Dame Sarah Storey cyclist and swimmer is also a big contender for tonight’s big award – Sports Personality of the Year
Sarah Storey. 30 – Paralympic medals for Dame Sarah Storey after her two golds in Paris
Dame Storey winning the Women’s C4-5 Road Race on day nine of the Paris Olympics
Alex Yee (Pictured with Olviia Mathias) among the nominees also up for the historic award
Yee turned silver into gold at this years Olympics dramatically passing Hayden Wilde in the closing stages of the triathlon in Paris
Joe Root of England who is also up for the illustrious award (Pictured at a test match between England and New Zealand)
In October, Root surpassed former team-mate Alistair Cook’s run tally of 12,472 to become the country’s all-time Test run leading scorer
Jude Bellingham was not present at tonight’s event, as he is currently preparing for the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final with Real Madrid in Qatar
Dame Sarah Storey took to the stage on crutches after breaking her ankle in an ice-skating mishap after a sensational performance in Paris 2024.
The Paralympian won two gold medals at the Paralympics this year, won in the Women’s C5 time trial and then another in the Women’s C4-5 road race.
‘I am not used to being this slow! I was training to do some ice skating and I tripped and broke my ankle. I was training and I tripped and broke my ankle.’ she told BBC One.
‘I did it two weeks ago, but I’m doing rehab like a crazy woman. I absolutely love it [cycling]. It’s something about what sport gives you, about what it gives other people.
‘I have not had the conversation [about going to LA 2028]. I really love a challenge, and they [my kids] really love to be part of a big team, so we’ll hopefully be putting together a plan once I’m a bit better, to see what it takes.’
Jude Bellingham was not present at tonight’s event, as he is currently preparing for the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final with Real Madrid in Qatar.
Cycling legend Sir Mark Cavendish will also be honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award later this evening.
He won the main SPOTY award back in 2011, and now 13 years on he will be handed an equally brilliant one.
Last month, Cavendish ended an illustrious 19-year career in style by winning his final race the Tour de France Singapore Criterium.
Before receiving his award, he told the BBC: ‘It’s such an amazing feeling – what an honour.
‘I’ve been riding for 20 years and I’ve done everything I can so to be awarded this is something very, very special.
‘I’m very fortunate I’ve done everything I wanted to do, and proud that’s more than many other people have done as well.
He added: ‘I always dreamed of having my name alongside those greats I grew up watching.’
Other awards are also up for grabs tonight, with Armand Duplantis winning World Sport Star Award after breaking the Pole Vault world record several times in 2024.
Dr Mark Prince was honoured with the Helen Rollason award after creating the Kiyan Prince Foundation after his son was stabbed to death in 2006.
Cycling legend Sir Mark Cavendish will also be honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award later this evening
Dr Mark Prince (Pictured receiving the award from Barry McGuigan) was honoured with the Heland Rollason award after creating the Kiyan Prince Foundation after his son was stabbed to death in 2006
Other awards are also up for grabs tonight, with Armand Duplantis (Pictured) winning World Sport Star Award after breaking the Pole Vault world record several times in 2024
Jean Paton also won the Unsung Hero award for her contributions to the sailing community, having volunteered for 40-years at children’s sailing club
Rugby club Wigan Warriors walked away with the Team of the Year title tonight (Pictured: Wigan Warrior Champions post match celebrations following their Super League win)
The programme provides coaching and motivational talks in boxing to keep children away from knife crime, and has reached 100,000 children so far.
He tearfully shared in his speech that he was ‘not often short of words,’ before adding: ‘I am always up and motivating other people and this is really overwhelming for me.’
‘I am proud of the fact I didn’t give in to revenge,’ he said.
‘God has given us a choice and we can choose no matter what happens to us we have a power of choice. We can choose how we deal with it.
‘We have not got the choice of what happens, but the choice of how we deal with it.’
Jean Paton also won the Unsung Hero award for her contributions to the sailing community, having volunteered for 40-years at children’s club – Salt and Sailing inspiring several British Olympians.
Rugby club Wigan Warriors walked away with the Team of the Year title.
Earlier in the night, former professional cyclist Sir Bradley Wiggins stood proudly with his children in tow at the lavish event tonight.
The Olympic cycling legend attended one of the biggest sporting events of the year alongside his children Isabella and Ben Wiggins.
The delighted father smiled in his pinstriped black suit couple with a white t-shirt, as his son put on a formal display in an all-black suit and tie.
His daughter Isabelle donned a satin black dress, cutting a glamorous figure with her beach blonde tresses hanging over her shoulders.
Among Britain’s best sportspeople who graced tonight’s annual event is six-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy alongside his wife Sarra Kemp.
It comes shortly Sir Chris Hoy’s revealed his wife Sarra is battling ‘very active and aggressive’ MS in the wake of his terminal cancer diagnosis in October.
In his bombshell memoir, the Olympian detailed how his wife’s devastating diagnosis was delivered only weeks after he discovered he had cancer.
Sir Hoy’s wife, who has ‘got him through it all’ over the last 14-years, was ordered to have a scan by her GP after she began to experience a tingling sensation in her face and tongue.
It later emerged she had MS (multiple sclerosis) – a degenerative disease for which there is no cure.
The revelation about her tragic health prognosis came as the gold-medal cyclist has divulged that his cancer is terminal and that he has just ‘two to four years’ left to live.
Despite receiving her results in the November, in the midst of the anguish of the 48-year-old’s diagnosis, Sarra did inform him of her own prognosis until December.
Former British professional cyclist Sir Bradley Wiggins stood proudly with his children in tow as Britain’s best sportsmen and women arrived at the lavish event
The delighted father smiled in his pinstriped black suit couple with a white shirt, as his son put on a formal display in an all-black suit and tie
Sir Chris Hoy and Sarra Kemp arriving for the 2024 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards
Sir Chris has previously praised his senior lawyer wife, who he says has been there for him ‘through it all’
Sir Chris pictured in 2012 winning the Men’s Keirin final in Melbourne, with his wife Sarra Hoy
The Olympian revealed that the devastating news was delivered only weeks after he discovered he had cancer (Pictured: Sarra and Sir Chris Hoy)
Sarra, 40, worked as a senior lawyer before the couple, who married in Edinburgh in 2010, had their two children, Callum, nine, and Chloe, six.
On the more difficult days, she finds it a challenge to fit her key in the door, but has remained positive, continuing to run and attend gym classes, according to Sir Hoy.
‘It’s the closest I’ve come to, like, you know, why me? Just, what? What’s going on here? It didn’t seem real. It was such a huge blow,’ he told the Times of his wife’s MS diagnosis in October.
‘When you’re already reeling. You think nothing could possibly get worse. You literally feel like you’re at rock bottom, and you find out, oh no, you’ve got further to fall. It was brutal.’
Sarra’s outlook has remained enthusiastic despite the serious health challenges the pair have faced whilst raising their children.
He told the publication: ‘She says all the time, ‘How lucky are we?’
”We both have incurable illnesses for which there is some treatment. Not every disease has that. It could be a lot worse’.’
Prior to his interview with the publication, very few people knew of his wife’s condition.
In a more recent interview with Lorraine last Tuesday, the world-class cyclist emphasised the importance of screenings and his campaign to get the age that GPs recommend PSA tests lowered.
He heartbreakingly revealed that he believed if he had been tested earlier, then the disease could have been caught more quickly.
Mary Earps (Pictured) became the third woman to win SPOTY in a row last year after being a key member of the Lionesses’ squad
Boxer Barry McGuigan at the awards ceremony tonight following his sting on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here
Several sporting stars also graced the carpet including Alex Scott and her partner Jess Glynne (left) and Sir Mark Cavendish and his wife Peta Todd
Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, who is the 2012 Olympic heptathlon champion
Eight time gold medal Paralympian Ellie Simmonds at tonight’s red carpet donning a stunning red jumpsuit with a pair of white high heels.
Pictured left to right: Team GB swimmer Rebecca Adlington and British cyclist Laura Kenny
He said: ‘It’s been an overwhelming response, so many people getting in touch and going to doctors for check-ups. As men we’re a bit guilty of not checking our health, and that’s now changing.
‘Normally the threshold is 50, then your doctor might ask you to get a PSA test. But for me with family history – my grandpa and dad both had prostate cancer.
‘In my opinion if I had been screened earlier, then there was a chance we might have caught it. Nothing against my own GP, my doctors have been amazing, but I think in general as a nation if we can have the threshold lowered, we could save a lot of lives.’
Speaking about what he has told his kids, Chris said: ‘We’ve told them the basics of it. Before I went in to do chemotherapy, we explained what was happening.
‘We weren’t sure how I was going to respond to chemo so it was important to let the kids know that actually I am going to be unwell but it’s because of the chemotherapy, it’s because of the treatment.’
The cyclist revealed Sarra had made a drawing of a blossom tree for their son and daughter to add a blossom to for every chemo treatment he underwent.
