BBC Sports Personality of the Year

Although we still have another month of jam packed sporting action to come its already that time of the year where one of the most prestigious award ceremonies begins to come to the forefront of our minds.

It is of course the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award and yet again our country has been blessed with dozens of high-class performances spanning a high number of sports.

It’s an event that has grown in stature over recent years, and is largely viewed as the most comprehensive sporting awards event in this country at least.

The evening is sure to be crammed with graphic defying video montages, Gary Lineker’s overrated jokes and probably one of Britain’s heroes re-enacting a part of their sporting routine live in the studio al la Beth Tweddle- although I’m not sure Tom Daley plunging into the Sheaf will be a particularly good idea.

The 10 nominees are announced on Monday evening by Adrian Chiles, and in my typically opinionate style I’ve had my say on who I would like to see on the shortlist.

Jenson Button: Odds: (8/13)

Britain’s second Formula World Champion in as many years, but maybe not the man we all expected after last season’s thrilling climax. Six wins in his first seven races for his new team Brawn GP all but sealed the title, but his inspirational drive in Brazil will live long in the memory and proved that despite a difficult end to the season he deserved his world title. Overwhelming Favorite.

Jessica Ennis: Odds (9/2)

If Button’s career was on a knife edge after Honda sold their team before the most recent F1 season, then Jessica Ennis’ can boast that she wasn’t even certain of a career after a stress fracture to her ankle in 2008 left her future in Athletics in tatters. After constant reservations over her ability to return she regained full fitness and won four of her seven-heptathlon events to become world champion in Berlin in July. Her glorious personality will assure her presence in the top three in Sheffield.

David Haye: Odds (6/1)

Despite his performance not being the most sparkling against Nicolai Valuev, the fact he’s Britain’s third ever world heavyweight champion means he’s a shoe-in for this top ten. Valuev in truth was a poor fighter and the making of Haye will be his clash with either of the Klitschko brothers next year. Next year might his year for both his career, and this award.

Andrew Strauss: Odds: (16/1)

He masterminded England’s Ashes triumph over Australia as captain but in truth you couldn’t have argued with his nomination even if he had not been the captain, his effort with the bat would have alone justified his nomination. Michael Vaughan couldn’t quiet combine the two during England’s last win in 2005, and even then the country had been consumed by ‘Flintoff fever’. No one stands in the way of Strauss this year and it would be criminal if he’s not a serious contender.

Beth Tweddle: Odds (66/1)

If her performance in Beijing showed us anything it was that there was more to come from Gymnast Beth Tweddle. And blimey hasn’t she produced. Six major events she competed in this year, five of them were won by this talented athlete. No Britain can profess to have such an impress win-rate in their sport this year and it would be a crime for her to be discounted. Might struggle to compete with the mainstream sports however.

Tom Daley: Odds: (100/1)

World champion at 14 year-old, now it doesn’t get much better than that does it? He went into this year’s world diving championships as nothing more than an outsider, just like he had done in Beijing the previous year. Under pressure, he produced a stunning final dive to leapfrog his opponents and snatch the Gold medal when he only expected to play a bit part in the competition. Did someone say 2012?

Phillips Idowu: Odds: (100/1)

This man won everything going in 2008 and then stumbled at the final hurdle, as he finished just second at the Beijing Olympics. This year after going through a similar vein of form the triple jumper wasn’t going to be denied, and at the World Championships in Berlin he finally realized his potential with a major Gold medal that he’s forever craved. He may not be Jonathan Edwards’ favorite but his hair amongst other things has captured the nations heart. The Athlete of the Year is a great price at 100/1.

Lee Westwood: Odds (609/1)

Westwood’s radical improvement saw him finish in the top 3 in two of the four majors this year. He then finished a terrific year by being crowned Europe’s top player after a stunning win at the tour ending Dubai World Championships. Yes he’s still after that elusive major title, but given how close he’s come already you can’t help but think it’s just round the corner. An outside bet to be even nominated.

Jo Jackson: Odds: (N/A)

It may only have been the British Championships, but to beat a two time Olympic champion and break the world record all in a days work deserves proper recognition, and for Jo Jackson that’s just what she’s received. Completely overwhelmed by Rebecca Adlington in Beijing she came back with a memorable performance on home soil. Two silvers and a bronze at the World Championships later in the year, including finishing ahead of Adlington again, meant she became the most successful British swimmer to leave the event.

Claire Taylor: Odds (N/A)

Another whose achievements this year have gone unnoticed by the bookmakers and if I’m honest look like the BBC will overlook them as well. Dare I say had a male in her sport mirrored her achievements then the decision would have been unanimous. The cricketer has been part of an England side that has won the T20 and 50-over world cup and retained the Ashes. She is currently the world’s number one female batsman and the only women to be named Wisden Cricketer of the Year. And yet it’s almost certain that she’ll be ignored entirely.