Shortlist for Sports Personality of the Year revealed

The shortlist for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award has been revealed, with England goalkeeper Mary Earps leading the way.

The 30-year-old goalkeeper is among six nominees in the running for the top sporting prize.

They include retired cricketer Stuart Broad, former jockey Frankie Dettori, heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson, wheelchair tennis player Alfie Hewett and golfer Rory McIlroy.

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But it’s Mary Earps who is the bookmakers runaway favourite after picking up a succession of accolades following England’s World Cup success back in August.

The Lioness was awarded the Golden Glove for keeping three clean sheets throughout the tournament, which saw England lose out to Spain in a nail-biting final.

She was named England Women player of the year and got the highest-ever ranking for a goalkeeper for the 2023 Ballon d’Or Feminin award in France after coming fifth in voting.

As Manchester United goalkeeper she also kept a Women’s Super League record 14 clean sheets last season.

If she adds Sports Personality of the Year to her collection, she’ll be the second successive Lioness to take the coveted prize, coming hot on the heals of teammate Beth Mead who won last year.

Also in the running is England cricketing hero Stuart Broad.

He became England’s second leading Test wicket taker earlier this year before announcing his retirement on the penultimate day of the fifth and final Ashes Test.

Heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson became a double world champion when she clinched gold at World Athletics Championships in Budapest earlier this year.

The Liverpool-born athlete also took a second Commonwealth Games title in Birmingham last year.

Frankie Dettori, who missed out on a win in I’m a Celebrity this year, had more success on the race course.

The three-time British flat racing champion jockey triumphed in two British classics this year, winning the 2000 Guineas on Chaldean and the Oaks on Soul Sister.

Tennis star Hewett was Australian Open and US Open singles champion this year. He also claimed three of the four grand slam titles on offer in doubles alongside Gordon Reid.

Meanwhile, McIlroy was the top points scorer in Europe’s Ryder Cup.

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The nominees will be put to a public vote.

The winner will be announced on the BBC’s live show on Tuesday 19 December.

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