i've been conscious of. this consultation could see the age lowered from 18. to an to 18 or even 21—year—olds, retirement must seem retirement must s em a very long way off, especially if they don't earn much. but if this plan proceeds, it could help prevent younger people depending on the state in decades to come. let's cross to rogerjohnson from

bbc northwest tonight obvious at the sports personality of the year. hello and welcome to viewers on the bbc news channel to the echo arena here in liverpool, a magnificent view this evening, and this is what it's all about. the bbc sports personality of the year trophy, 12 contenders who you have just seen, one of them will be crowned the winnerfor one of them will be crowned the winner for 2017 one of them will be crowned the winnerfor 2017 within one of them will be crowned the winner for 2017 within the space of a couple of hours this evening. we are going to be chatting to a lot of the stars from sporting scenes and entertainment scenes, as they make their way into the main event. first of all, before we get our first guest, let's take a lack at some of the amazing sports moments of 2017 -- some of the amazing sports moments of 2017 —— take a look. some of the amazing memories of 2017 which will be celebrated here tonight in liverpool at the echo arena at this year's sports personality of the year where, as you can see, the stars have really come out.

we are here with england football manager gareth southgate. welcome. are you looking forward to a big night ahead? yes, fantastic, always a brilliant event. this year obviously we have got a junior international team well represented as well so fantastic experience for them to come here. two of them both world champions. i guess the big question is, next year, 01, will the sporting highlight be england lifting the world cup? we were saying if we have got lots of no more nations for sports personality in the next year, we'll be in a really good place, so that is our aim, we are really looking forward to it and yes, it's starting to get really real now we have got the draw. were you happy with the draw? yes. i think because we are one of the second seeds, the way it works, you get two teams you are probably going to be favourites against and play one team ranked higher, so it's in our hands now. also what i would like to know,

obviously footballers up for tonight's award, harry kane, will you be getting your mobile out and voting for him tonight? there are some really good people. i've met a couple of the other guys who've had incredible years as well. so a lot of world champions. it's a high bar. great for harry that he's in there, he's had a fantastic season. from your point of view, we were talking whilst watching the highlights, you have never seen this before? no, not this close. you know, goodness me, i'm looking at some of the names 1960, i wasn't quite around for that, but it's such an iconic trophy, great to see nit the flesh. it's amazing. thank you very much for talking to us. we hope you enjoy the evening. 0ne for talking to us. we hope you enjoy the evening. one of the names on there i'm absolutely certain is sir steve redgrave and if we look down the carpet, there he is, the big man standing next to annabel. i'm joined by previous winner steve redgrave. what year was it when you won? 2000 just after the sydney

olympics. does it feel a long time ago? a very long time ago. that was my last year of competing of 25, the last 17 years have gone reasonably quickly. obviously you have been there, so what will the contenders be feeling tonight and how important is it to win? i was nominated a couple of times before, so it's excitement, is it going to be me, oh god what am i going to say if i do win, and the year that i did win so they tell me, just afterwards, it was very one—sided on my side and eve ryo ne was very one—sided on my side and everyone knew they was going to win apart from myself that was sitting there extremely nervous. i spoke reasonably well but forgot to mention my wife. never forget to mention my wife. never forget to mention your wife. not such a good thing when she's your team doctor as well. but no, it was a great evening and what a thrill to win that trophy. for a lot of sportsmen and

women, this sort of thing doesn't come necessarily naturally to them walking up and down the red carpet. i guess you are a bit more used to it now? i've been on two or three, but sports people tend to be more introverted, related to the actors and performers, they tend to be more extroverted. there is a crossover either way but most sports people tend to be more combiet and reserved in some ways. are we allowed to ask you who you might think will win tonight? there is two i wouldn't mind winning, aj being one and adam peaty being the other. they've both had fantastic years and one thing that i always try and say is that sports personality should be about what you've actually done in that year, not what you did in a lifetime. maybe my award was more lifetime. maybe my award was more lifetime achievement than in my one year. very well deserved it was anyway. thank you very much for

stopping to talk to us. have a lovely evening. pleasure. and you. 0ne lovely evening. pleasure. and you. one of the great things about standing here is that everybody wa nts to standing here is that everybody wants to stop and have a photograph taken. that's the first time you have seen it? yes. we were competing in the invictus games in toronto, but it's a special night be invited along. it's going to be amazing. what were the invictus games like. it looked amazing? it was. the atmosphere was incredible. i competed in the 100 metres, shot putt and discus and the atmosphere for every event was invisible. the support was second to none. so much work of the invictus games is down to prince harry of course, have you had a wedding invite? that would be nice. no, that would be nice but we are obviously all in training already for sydney next year so we have got the trials in april then the selection process. we find out in may whether we are going to syd ney in may whether we are going to sydney next year, but i think it will be around the time of the royal

wedding, so you never know! all the best and good luck. happy customers, because you had a photo take within the trophy too. annabel, back to you. tonight is a celebration of sport but, as we mentioned, it's also a celebration about professional athletes winning medals but also those that don't always get mentioned and recognised. the volu nteers mentioned and recognised. the volunteers at grass roots levels. tonight we celebrate them as well and particularly a very special coachin and particularly a very special coach in crosby. i'm pamela and i'm in liverpool to say thank you to a special lady for her contribution to grass roots netball. let's go and meet her. you have been pretty amazing, doing

so you have been pretty amazing, doing so much for grass roots netball. this is so great. 0h, so much for grass roots netball. this is so great. oh, my god. i've come the say thank you so much for everything you are doing and all the girls here look like they are having a great time. hello! this is our junior netball club, the under—13 section. we are in ourfourth junior netball club, the under—13 section. we are in our fourth year, started off with five girls, now we've got 95. amazing. i hear you are coaching monday, tuesday, witnesses, thursday? yes. ididn't i didn't have the opportunities to get involved with as much netball when i was younger until i was sort of16, 17, so

when i was younger until i was sort of 16, 17, so to give these girls the opportunity now and to give my two daughters the opportunity to play and get involved in netball at a younger agejust play and get involved in netball at a younger age just makes play and get involved in netball at a younger agejust makes me play and get involved in netball at a younger age just makes me so play and get involved in netball at a younger agejust makes me so happy to see them and get the parents‘ feedback to say how much they love netball and how much they love being pa rt netball and how much they love being part of the club and how much they've made new friends. it makes it all worthwhile. she's got so much passion, enthusiasm and i tell her all the time, i wish we could bottle it, we need so much more people like michelle for community sport in this country to really grow and develop more. a bit on the angle... that's it. it's absolutely amazing to have pam ham la here tonight with us in crosby —— pamela. to be recognised, i'm pretty gobsmacked actually, pretty speechless about it all, it's absolutely amazing. with me now, the tottenham and

england striker, harry kane and of course one of this evening's contenders for the award for sports pers that willty of the year. how chuffed were you to be nominated for it? it was amazing. something i'm extremely proud of. a bit of a surprise, i have to say, but really excited to be here and looking forward to the event. you know the last footballer to win this award, ryan giggs? ryan giggs, yes. you have got to do that? i know, yes, obviously ryan giggs was incredible, done so much for the game, so to be nominated is amazing, of course i would love to go on and win it and hold the trophy. does it mean a lot to you? you can win things professionally in your sports life but what does it mean to win this award? it would be fantastic to be appreciated by all of the public for all sports as well, it's something i

would be very proud of so yes, football's obviously my sport, but i've always loved doing every sport when i was a kid growing up in school as well. it's amazing to be here. you have captained england recently which is a huge honour, i'm guessing? it is. again, as a kid growing up, that's what you dream of doing. to have done that and to have scored as well on the debut, it was incredible, a moment i'll never forget. we have had the youth teams coming through earlier. they've had a fantastic year. do you think they can go forward into 2018 with such success ? can go forward into 2018 with such success? yes, hopefully. they've been fantastic. i'm incredibly proud to be english and to see what they've been doing. yes, it only drives us players to try to do the same. it's great to see them here tonight and hopefully 2018 will be even better. we wish you all the luck, have a fantastic night. thank you for speaking to us. thank you. roger and i have just you for speaking to us. thank you. roger and i havejust bumped into

one of the 12 and only scots to be nominated for this year's sports personality of the year award. how does it feel? it's amazing. i never expected to be nominated. it's such an honour. it feels unreal to be here and to get a nomination. it's crazy. you are looking fabulous, would you agree tonight? you are known for having your cool purple hair, always looking fashionable. was tonight a hard choice?” hair, always looking fashionable. was tonight a hard choice? i have five with me. some were quirky and they all persuaded me to go with the elegant one so i'm happy you are saying i look good because i wasn't sure. your train is long on that dress, you need someone to carry it. he's not having any of it is he? i'm a bit too tall. you came close to giving up in 2014 didn't yourself i bet you are relieved you didn't? oh, it's amazing. i became word champion and thought, this is giving back to eve ryo ne and thought, this is giving back to everyone that supported med through

the bad time. to come out the other end and now be nominated for this award, if you would have said that four years ago, i would have told you you were making it up. how tough is that. sam you will probably appreciate this with your hockey background, you must have times when you feel very alone and down. is it very difficult to drag yourself back 7 very difficult to drag yourself back es, very difficult to drag yourself back up? yes, of course, everyone has bad times, where it's hard to get up in the morning, especially after sochi, but you have got to focus on eve ryo ne but you have got to focus on everyone supporting you, sending you the love. you have little goals to reach every day, that is what keeps me going. sochi for you, you train, you compete, get up at 6am for that 0lympic moment. what things have you got in store coming up for the next politician, you have just got in store coming up for the next politician, you havejust had selection, things like that? yes, i'm so excited, only got told this week. they were never going to not pick you? you never know! i'mjust

so pick you? you never know! i'mjust so excited. i want to go out and enjoy the olympics. sochi was horrible, i didn't enjoy it, i got myself in should have good shape and i know i can win but mainly i want to enjoy it band happy in front of the home crowd and not have a miserable face on the whole time so i'm looking forward to getting out there. we wish you well. thank you very much indeed. elise, one to have 12 nominees. thank you. we have heard from harry kane and elise, now it'sjohnny heard from harry kane and elise, now it's johnny peacock. fresh from last night which was a big night on celebrity come dancing. how was that, the whole experience, what was it like for you in strictly? it was a roller coaster, absolutely incredible. there are many ups, a few downs, the training can be tricky, but it was so much fun. i think the only bad thing is that i didn't get to enjoy the party as much as i wanted to because i had to be up to come here. you had to

save yourself? to a point, yes. we are grateful for that. it's very different though isn't it that kind of challenge because you are used to a sporting challenge but you are doing it for yourself then really aren't you, you've got a partner this time? yes, exactly, that's it. 0ti this time? yes, exactly, that's it. oti was there helping me. it's weird, you don't want to let them down. when you are on the track it's just you and obviously you can let down your country but really the pressure is just on you. whereas going out there, i don't want to let 0ti going out there, i don't want to let oti down. there is a lot of nerves. so far out of my comfort zone. are you surprised how well you did then because you did well and lasted well? that's down to oti and her amazing choreography and he pushed me. she did amazingly well. she was meant to be here today, where is she? she enjoyed the party a little bit. ssh she might be lying in bed somewhere! we should talk a bit about sport as well and you have been nominated for this. how do you feel? absolutely incredible. the

biggest award for a sportsman. it's such an honour. the names that go on the list is insane so be in the mix is incredible. do you get time to rest because you have had a full—on year. what is christmas going to mean? i'm going to have a couple of weeks to chill out. christmas at mums, new years at my girlfriend sally's parent, so that will be nice, but lots of sleep, a bit of alcohol, so yes, i need to stop eating so much though because i've already put on weight. really, doing strictly you have put on weight? definitely. it's not as intense, it's much more mentally exhausting, i had to put down a few cakes! thank you so much, we i had to put down a few cakes! thank you so much, we are i had to put down a few cakes! thank you so much, we are glad you made it here tonight and good luck. thank you. thank you. from one athlete at one end of the carpet rapidly three of it have made it to the other end, steve cram

paula radcliffe and dame tanni grey—thompson are here. we were talking tojohnny grey—thompson are here. we were talking to johnny peacock, grey—thompson are here. we were talking tojohnny peacock, he's been one of the great role models for the para—athletics one of the great role models for the pa ra—athletics team ? one of the great role models for the para-athletics team? yes. he delivers when it counts. winning gold in london was phenomenal. to do it later in rio with all the pressure, men's amputee's sprinting is one of the deepest classes out there and to come back after year of injury and to win was amazing, he so deserves to be on the list. when you are sitting in the commentary box and paula as well, you must take great pride in the way paralympics has come on in recent years, it's very much on a level with the able—bodied teams? very much on a level with the able-bodied teams? as tanni was saying, in all sports, able-bodied teams? as tanni was saying, in allsports, regular or paralympicsneeds its saying, in allsports, regular or pa ralympicsneeds its heroes, johnny is one of our, tanni was for a long time. we have been able to integrate

the paralympic events, particularly in athletics. we had the ipc champs held in this stadium just before and you saw full stadia for both championships which is testimony to, i guess, what the public appreciate. they're watching top level sport. it doesn't matter whether it's a paralympian or able—bodied doesn't matter whether it's a pa ralympian or able—bodied athlete, they understand they‘ re pa ralympian or able—bodied athlete, they understand they're watching people at top of their game which is why they come here and watch it on tv as well. paula, one of the contenders this evening who isn't here, mo farah, how amazing has he been now that he's brought his track to an end? he's closing one chapter and closing one very successful chapter, so successful that we actually find ourselves looking back this year and thinking, he didn't quite match what he did in the years before that because that was outstanding to be able to put those doubles back—to—back year after year. i think he's now probably

relishing the challenge of the going into something new that he needs to learn, find his feet a bit and give himself something else to attack that motivates him that bit more 110w. that motivates him that bit more now. it was amazing having the worlds back in london. how amazing was that to see everyone back in the spirit of the paralympics? it was really special on so many levels. athletics had been through a rough time so to bring it back to a country that really supports and understands athletics and fills the stadiums, that gave it a real boost in. britain it was brilliant to see performances like the relay boys just come through and grab that and just come through and grab that and just really kind of reignite all of that passion that we saw in 2012 and give people a chance to live it again. thank you all very much inteed for talking to us. we are grateful to all of you. enjoy the evening. there is no doubt who is the fastest contenderfor is no doubt who is the fastest contender for sports personality of the year award, 2017. it is of

course lewis hamilton. he won his fourth world title this year and he also won the admiration of another motor sport giant, sirjackie stuart. i think 2017 has been the best year for lewis hamilton with regards to winning in the manner in which he's done it and so forth. for me, the most enjoyable race i ever saw lewis hamilton running was one that he didn't win, in fact it was the grand prix in barcelona where he came through the very back, started in the pit lane in fact, came through and didn't get on the podium but nearly did. that made the race because he was just chopping everybody off, as he went along. he has a huge gift of natural talent. what you have got to do is match that natural talent with what is up here in the brain cells and that he's developed as he's gone along. this year is the best example of that. i think these are the two big

assets you need. a magnificent sight from the air. the echo arena here in liverpool ahead of this year's sports personality of the year. here on the red carpet the famous faces keep coming. rebecca adlington is with us, adam peaty is amongst the contenders tonight. best of luck. phenomenal isn't he? unbelievable. his olympic success is one thing but to back that up and this is his fourth year nominated, he keeps climbing the ladder and doing better every year so hopefully tonight he can be there on the stage. given how amazing he is, do you find it frustrating that so many people do swim, why doesn't it punch through and have a swimmer as the sports pers nal sports personality of the year? anthony joshua is such a big

name, for example, because he's a huge sport, we are still a minority sport that is a bit like your mum and dad in the stands and that's pretty much it. it's bound to happen when you have a small sport but adam's had a fantastic year. for him it would be an honour to be the winner but he's honoured to be nominated. you look stunning tonight. where is it from and why did you choose the jumpsuit? good choice? look at these. two goal medals and jumpsuits as well, i feel left out. where is this one from? tall girls can wear jumpsuits left out. where is this one from? tall girls can wearjumpsuits so why not. we have the awkward thing whether we went for one or two kisses but we went for a fist bump. joining and yang. the new girl band. i can't joining and yang. the new girl band. ican‘t sing, joining and yang. the new girl band. i can't sing, can you? no. there we go! that makes three of us. at least we have something in common. thank you very much for stopping to talk to us, we are really grateful.

the world of cycling is always very well represented at this awards event and this year's contender is chris froome who won his fourth tour de france this year, as well as the tour de—spain. one man who particularly thinks he should get this award is a previous award winner himself, sir chris hoy. i think chris froome, you'd be hard pushed to say he's not the greatest of his generation. four times tour de france champion, welter champion. his consistency. the way that he deals with everything that is thrown at him,i deals with everything that is thrown at him, i can't think of anybody would rate above him. he's the best of the best. there are so many variables in the tour de france, so many things can go wrong. it's an incredibly difficult thing to

control. therefore consistency at that level in that type of event is super impressive. it's a huge achievement what he has managed to do over the last four or five years. to win the vuelta as well as the tour de france this year, incredible achievement. i think he would probably win sports personality in any number of different nations around the world this year. we have just bumped into this gentleman who has probably got by far the most glamorous or revealing outfit of the night. it is speedo mick. tell everybody what you do. after swimming the channel a few years ago, i've been fundraising, going to football games, walking to france, walking to wembley. i've just been fundraising basically for three yea rs. fundraising basically for three years. and you've done a fantastic

job. i was at the liverpool everton derby on sunday and it was snowing, and he was still there in his speedos! how do you get through those cold days? it's a challenge, andi those cold days? it's a challenge, and i love a challenge. lots of coffee. like you say it's part of the fun racing stuff. if i'm shaking a bucket with my clothes on, you don't get as much money. we've just been talking to rebecca adlington, famous gold medal winning olympic swimmer. whereabouts are talked to a world champion swimmer. none of them are dressed quite like you tonight. fantastic. annabel is talking to adam peaty. i don't think he's wearing his speedos! that gentleman down there is in his speedos, you look a bit overdressed! maybe if i get nominated next year that's my

next outfit. you've had a fantastic year so you must feel overwhelmed to be upfor year so you must feel overwhelmed to be up for this award. absolutely. world championships and the europeans last night. you quickly gave your gold medal away to somebody in the crowd. gave your gold medal away to somebody in the crowdlj gave your gold medal away to somebody in the crowd. i saw a british flag and you don't see many british flag and you don't see many british flags when you go abroad. i thought, i want to do something for them to say thank you for supporting. this girl i gave my gold two, she was starstruck —— i gave my gold—medal to her. you've won the gold—medal to her. you've won the gold medal, but hopefully far her it will change her world and inspire herfor many will change her world and inspire her for many years. that is a really lovely moment. you are with your girlfriend millie. where you out there watching? i wasn't, girlfriend millie. where you out there watching? iwasn't, iwas girlfriend millie. where you out there watching? i wasn't, i was at work! you try and support as much as you can but you're not involved in the world of sport yourself? sadly

not. it's a very good balance. i can do what i need to do in the pool and come home and relax and completely chill out. are you going to relax now? yes, we go on holiday after christmas. this is my only time of year where i can chill out and start to restart the engine next year. it's a big year, commonwealth games, european long course championship, then it's the worlds and then the olympics against upright when you stop in the middle of training. when you stop in the middle of training, do you have to stop eating the amount you are eating? yes. it is 15,000 calories a day, and it goes down to a leaf. thank you very much, good luck tonight and have a great evening. adam peaty talking to annabel. we wish him luck to night, he's one of the 12 contenders.

6:45pm the programme is live on bbc one. you can vote for your favourite. last year tennis one with andy murray taking home his third award. this year the sport has johanna konta representing the female game. she got to the semifinals of wimbledon which was the first time in a long time. amongst the legions of her fans is... the last person to do it, virginia wade. johanna konta had a tremendous year. maybe better even than she anticipated, although you never know. obviously everyone is dreaming of coming into the top handful in the world and she got herself to number four. handful in the world and she got herself to numberfour. so i think she achieved every one of the goals she achieved every one of the goals she could have set for the year. to wina big she could have set for the year. to win a big tournament like miami, to get to the semifinals of wimbledon, and to do as well as she did in

australia. that was a year to remember. i know she had some injuries as the year progressed but as long as she can stay fit, listen, she's got as much chance as anybody else. women's tennis is there waiting for somebody to take the reins and climb on up. virginia wade singing the praises ofjohanna konta. a couple of minutes ago we had two ladies in catsuits, both with olympic gold medals. now we have two by jungle with olympic gold medals. now we have two byjungle by files. king of thejungle! have two byjungle by files. king of the jungle! yes indeed. we gave each other that look and said, we know what you went through. when you meet someone what you went through. when you meet someone who's been in the jungle we can look at each other and say, we know. there's a gang of us who know

how tough it is and how much fun it is. do you ever eat rice and beans? i hate rice and beans. he has kangaroo instead. tell us about jonathan rea. he is closing on your all—time career number of wins. jonathan rea. he is closing on your all-time career number of wins. next year i'm sure he will smash the record. i'm a big fan ofjonathan, i'm here to support him. hopefully eve ryo ne i'm here to support him. hopefully everyone will vote for him. he's a good lad and a great rider. what makes him so good? he's got the aggression, the consistency, the will to win. he's good in wet weather, dry weather, all sorts. he's very professional about the way he goes about his business. he ticks all the boxes. you mentioned you think he's a great talent. do you think he's a great talent. do you think he's a great talent. do you think he is going to break your world record for the amount of career world record for the amount of career wins? he'll break them. i'm

not bitter one bit! he's a good guys. thank you for talking to us. he's pretty quick on two wheels. here's a bloke who was pretty quick on two legs, michaeljohnson. i'm with michaeljohnson, we've been arguing about how many times he's one. “— arguing about how many times he's one. —— he's won. arguing about how many times he's one. -- he's won. i have one trophy. tonight you can come in and kick back and enjoy it. i've got to do a bit of presenting tonight. i'll be enjoying it, it's all is a great shows. i think a lot of people, sportsmen and women, obviously they wa nt to sportsmen and women, obviously they want to win in their own sports but winning this is important. it's also be history. if you look back over

winners of previous years, there is some amazing names there. roger federer has won it this year. his comeback last year was unbelievable. i actually have to admit i said about a year or two ago, roger, it's time to let it go. he proved me wrong. that spurred him on! do you have a highlight? the world championships were amazing this year. a lot of sad moments with usain bolt. do you have a highlight? i think those championships proved, obviously a sad moment to usain but it proved the sport is bigger than one athlete because it was still an amazing championship. the thing about usain is, if you ask anyone who won, they will ask what usain bolt there? he won it. it won't have

any effect on his legacy. his legacy is amazing, great sprinter ever. the world of athletics to my being represented by mo farah, he's got a good chance. history hasn't been kind to him over the years with this thing, so i'm not quite sure. he did have an amazing season. he should be right there and have a really good chance to win it. his season was amazing. he went out with a bang and he would absolutely be deserving of its. thank you. have a wonderful night. roger is going to tell us a bit about a hero who lives a bit more locally. we were just talking, you do 40 metres sprints with the great britain hockey team. how many secondsis great britain hockey team. how many seconds is that? it would normally

be 20 out, 20 back. i would like to say i was the fastest. when holly scored that last goal, even though i'm not the fastest in the squad, but on that picture it looks like i am. we've talked a lot about the minority sports this evening. for hockey, what did it mean, that olympic win, the profiler tat. it on 10pm at night, prime time. what has it done for hockey? it's huge. it started off with the gold medals, the acknowledgement in front of millions. it made people say hockey isa millions. it made people say hockey is a fast, competitive sport. to be here amongst the sporting's best both past and current, it's amazing. we had ourcaptain both past and current, it's amazing. we had our captain kate nominated, hopefully we'll catch her. she was amazing as well. there's a boxer nominated tonight, his name is anthonyjoshua. he's nominated tonight, his name is

anthony joshua. he's not nominated tonight, his name is anthonyjoshua. he's not here. there's another big guy, tony bellew. liverpool boxer of course. is that a tinge of blue for your beloved everton? yes, if! can sneak it in and get it in, yes! there was a possibility you would have been fighting david haye tonight. yes, as you can see i'm here to help out. but it really but what can you do, the show must go on. anthony joshua, who i know it is a rival of yours. rival friend. he's who i know it is a rival of yours. rivalfriend. he's got who i know it is a rival of yours. rival friend. he's got a good chance, hasn't he? ithink rival friend. he's got a good chance, hasn't he? i think he deserves it. it would be fantastic to see. you described him as a friend. if you at some point had to fight him, how tough is that?|j fight him, how tough is that?” went. you're not going to give us an exclusive tonight? have you seen the

size of him?! do you want to fight probably not. i wouldn't fight speedo mick over there. your fight has been rescheduled for make. 02 arena. i've missed being back at work. ultimately i made prizefighter, i enjoy fighting. time off is no good for nobody. although eure prizefighter, i've heard you talk before about the fact it's a job for you and you want to go to work and get home safe. that is 10096 correct. it's just a job. work and get home safe. that is 10096 correct. it'sjust a job. as much as i love boxing and it's the only thing i truly understand inside and out, you've got to understand it is just a job. once i come away from that i'm just a normal nine to five lads. to have this here in liverpool, this event, it's great isn't it? it's massive, it's huge. our city is a fantastic city. it's

got a wealth of heritage, it is steeped in glory. we've got a lot of history from the football teams, from all different sportsmen and women of every different ethnic origin. we are a massive city and i think it's fantastic. it should be here, we've had teams win champions league. what team was that? it doesn't matter what team it was! we've got a fantastic tradition with sport. there's many more to come as well. the youth is coming through also. tony bellew, proud evertonian! annabel teased us earlier about a new local staff, tony is one and so is sam. obviously as you've just seen is sam. obviously as you've just seen with tony bellew, this city has no shortage of sporting superstars. in 2017 a new one emerged, golfer

tommy fleetwood has had an astonishing year. he became a champion, he became a husband and he became a dad. two wins, one marriage, one baby, and europe's number one golfer. music it's not until now, getting home and sitting down, i'm like, what have we done? christmas coming up with a new baby and a new wife, and it's very cool at the moment. but a year ago it was anything but cool. tommy was struggling. he got his best mate to kathy and went back to his childhood coach. it worked —— to caddy. you

won't forget this year. absolutely not, this has been a heck of a year. we get an absolutely brilliant. he's my best mate. he's a good lad. i've been found behind bush is talking to myself, but i love it. you can't get any better than this. from the dubai sunshine to the cheshire snow, tommy's stepsons have been among his biggest supporters. are you nervous watchers? i am quite good, i think. but when he's doing well i get quite nervous. when he wins on sunday i can come back into school on monday and everyone is talking about it, especially the teachers. to have

that many people that you're close with around you, i can't thank them enough. an amazing year on course and of course. it's been better than i could ever have hoped for. i'm very, very excited because i've just found all my hockey girls looking gorgeous. it's like being on that team gb flight back home from rio. singing so much and they let us sleep. i put it was you girls who started it! i recorded all of it! i'm a bit under the weather! that's before the night has begun! so ladies, you'vejust come back before the night has begun! so ladies, you've just come back from new zealand. pretty new squad after

rio, how's it going? really good. we came forth and we were slightly disappointed but new squad, everyone is getting a chance to get international experience that it's been a really positive year. a p pa re ntly been a really positive year. apparently they've all got a airbnb tonight. we've got a lovely apartment in liverpool. it's my hen do this weekend so finishing it off well! we are going to cross over to annabel. i'm with one of the other contenders for the awards night, bianca walkden. i wish i'd worn big heels tonight! i should have known! i had to get my legs out and get the hills and. you look fantastic. this is your home city, you must be feeling so at home. i can't wait to go out there and hopefully all the scousers get behind me. please vote for me. honestly, i'm so overwhelmed and trying to take it all in. when

they announced your name on the night you were tweeting that you we re night you were tweeting that you were buzzing. it's so good it's here, it's great the celebration of sport is seen outside of london and in places like liverpool because we had so many famous sports people. 100%. it to be in my hometown is amazing. you've got all the fighters and the boxers, isjust inside us amazing. you've got all the fighters and the boxers, is just inside us to go and compete and win. hopefully liverpool will get behind me tonight. i can't wait to see the reception from everyone. you've had such a fantastic year. the last time we met was just after the olympics and bizarrely you were disappointed with a bronze. this year has been fabulous. i've done ok. i was the first one to get all four grand prix series and retain my world title. for me that was just me getting up every day. i'm lucky enough to just

be here and i'm trying to take it all in because it's so overwhelming. what are you going to do now? are you taking a break over christmas? i've got training tomorrow or the day after. i can't have any pigs in bla nkets day after. i can't have any pigs in blankets over christmas because i'm going to china on the 27th of december. can you enjoy yourself tonight? of course. i can't let liverpool down! we wish you all the best. we were going to talk to asha philip and adam gemili but it was hijacked by the hockey girls reunion! beth tweddle is also with us. reunion! beth tweddle is also with us. looking back on your 2017, how would you sum it up? it was really good. i got a european gold medal in the 60 metres and a silver medal in london. these boys got gold which i'm happy for. it's been a really

good yearfor us this i'm happy for. it's been a really good year for us this year. adam, the girls were willing it you over that line in the final, how much did it mean to have them there with you? it was the best feeling to celebrate together, especially doing it in london was brilliant, to become a world champion. usually the girls are successful at the relay and the men hashed it up a bit but we managed to get a medal and celebrate altogether. beth, you are a veteran of this event, you must have been many times but how lovely to have it in your home city. it is always a nice way to end the year and a great way to celebrate what british sport has done. but have it back in liverpool, we last had it back in 2008. i'm really proud to show off what our city does. it's to see all these different people from different sports who normally would never meet. yes. for some buzz it's a great way to catch up, meet up with old friends. you see all the

emerging stars coming through. what these guys did in the summer was incredible. i was part of that team willing you over the line. it was just amazing to watch. thank you. we're going to continue the athletics team at the other end of the carpet. i'm with damejessica ennis—hill. you look absolutely gorgeous. it's so nice to have a chance to dress up. it is, yes. obviously just having my chance to dress up. it is, yes. obviouslyjust having my daughter i've been in slob out close for the past few weeks and not been to anything special is this so it's really exciting. is this your first big night out? it is actually. i had a mummy and ready day the other day but this is the first time i've left herfor a few hours. but this is the first time i've left her for a few hours. how are you feeling about that? she's happy and settled with my mum so i'm ok. i'll be checking my phone every two minutes. is a lovely event to be at.

you wouldn't want to miss it. it's a fantastic event and to be here celebrating sport, i've had a fantastic year. really happy to be here this evening. obviously we had the world championships. i was speaking to michaeljohnson earlier about his highlight, what was your highlight? it was great to be there asa highlight? it was great to be there as a spectator. i love watching the heptathlon. to see the belgian heptathlete win, she was out of this world. i enjoyed watching that. mo farah is the contender for athletics this year, what do you think of his chances? he's missed out before. he has. he's had another incredible year and done all he can possibly do on the track. fantastic to watch him when again in london. as well as being extraordinarily busy which you will be with two children, what's next? just having some time at home

with the kids and doing some other projects, getting involved with sport. it's a big part of my life and has been for so long so i want to continue. christmas is going to be hectic with little ones. yes, we've got a busy christmas. my sister has had another baby and my sister has had another baby and my sister in law has had another baby as well. certainly the biggest, tallest man on the carpet so far, anthonyjoshua is tallest man on the carpet so far, anthony joshua is here. tallest man on the carpet so far, anthonyjoshua is here. one of the contenders tonight. thank you for talking to us. what a year. it's been an interesting year in terms of what's going on in the boxing ring and so on. i feel be —— what's going on in the boxing ring and so on. ifeel be —— ifeel good. it's inspiring as well. what was that night in april likely. 90,000 people at wembley, wladimir klitschko who had dominated for so many years —— that night in april at

wembley. it so soon in my career, it's not something i was waiting for, it was brought upon me and i thought let's roll the dice and see how we get on. walking out in front of 90,000 people, it was just about delivering. i think we definitely delivered. we had to show a bit of grit, bit of skill, a bit of character and i think that's what made it a good fight. you've just mentioned you're not used all this attention and walking down a red carpet. what's it like, are you taking it all in your stride? yes. it's not an everyday thing. maybe once i'm done with boxing albee at every event, but might coach won't be too happy at the minutes if i am -- i'll be be too happy at the minutes if i am —— i'll be at every event. i'm just here to have a good time. this isn't something we watched growing up so it's quite new to me. are you

nervous or looking forward to being on stage? i'm not nervous but i'm sitting here as a spectator. my family were never begin to sports so it's not something i know what's going to happen, i'm just going to sit down as a spectator and take it in. then i can pass on the information of what it was like to my friends and family. and then looking forward to 2018. in a be ‘and em e; a: .— .::.. 57; g. as, 7 , h w. .. j. the yes, it's the e w yes, it's the holy www w w w w yes, it's the holy grail. w w w w w w yes, it's the holy grail. if w w w w w grail. yes, it's the holy grail. if a really tough task but i say it's like it's so simple. i think it's very possible. i would love to fight end of march, early april against joseph parker or deontay wilder. once i get that belt god willing, i

can move forward. and get the last belt. in terms of your training, plans for christmas? i've just come back from dubai. we did some fitness stuff. i came back, straight back into training, to manage my weight and stuff. don't enjoy too much christmas turkey. everyone has relax. then get back on the gravy train. thank you for talking to us. all the best. amir khan isjust back out of the jungle. amir khan all the best. amir khan isjust back out of thejungle. amir khan how all the best. amir khan isjust back out of the jungle. amir khan how are you feeling? i feel great, out of the jungle. amir khan how are you feeling? ifeel great, it's great to be back. i've lost so much weight, i'm down to fighting weight. it's great to be here. how's your fear of those horrible bugs and snakes and spiders?” fear of those horrible bugs and snakes and spiders? i won't be going back there. i'm scared of spiders and snakes. the spiders, i'm not scared of them any more. it helped

sleeping next to them and being around them. but snakes i'm still scared off. and perhaps they fear of strawberries now? the strawberries we re strawberries now? the strawberries were a bit of fun, they were nice. and 0 so much and have a lovely evening. —— thank you so much. wow, what a red carpet. it's incredible, and the stars are still coming through. it's an air on bbc at quarter to seven, 640 5pm sports personality of the year. you can vote for one of 12 contenders to win the big awards. we hope you enjoy it. from all of us at the echo arena, good night. a chilly night to come particular across central and eastern parts of the british isles, after what will have been a disappointing day.

especially so later on through england and wales. writers guys do finish off in scotland and northern ireland —— brighter skies. then we are ireland —— brighter skies. then we a re left ireland —— brighter skies. then we are left with clearing skies and away from the western periphery is it going to be a chilly night with fog patches around. they will linger on monday morning in some areas and there will be a bitter frost around. i think it will be scraping across central and eastern parts on a decent day. the mildest air out towards the west, always that bit colder despite sunshine, out towards the east. through monday evening and into the first part of tuesday, just notice how we expect to see fog forming quite extensively and even at this range, a heads up about tuesday. a lots of fog around in many locations including these. this is bbc news.

the headlines at 6. a british woman, rebecca dykes, has been killed in beirut, the foreign office says. she worked for the department for international development. an investigation is under way following a multi—vehicle crash in central birmingham in which six people were killed. police described the scene as "harrowing". plans to automatically enrol hundreds of thousands of young people in workplace pensions for the first time, to help them save for retirement. england's ashes hopes are fading — captainjoe root one of four men out already with still a day to bat to save the series. in half an hour here on bbc news bbc sport will have a round—up of all the day's sports events with sportsday.