"Show your appreciation for one of Scotland's greatest bands, Simple Minds," says Andrew Cotter before Gary Lineker, Clare Balding and Gabby Logan appear on stage to a wild reception. Prince Harry mumbles something to Jonny Wilkinson. They both laugh, but stop suddenly once they realise the cameras are on them. Careful, boys.

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport in Glasgow

Image source, PA

Europe's victorious Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley has another reason to celebrate at the end of 2014 - the form of his favourite football team, West Ham, who are fourth in the Premier League.

"I've supported them since the 1975 Cup final, when they beat Fulham and I was seven or eight years old. I liked the claret and blue and I've been West Ham ever since," said McGinley.

"I'm looking forward to seeing them playing against some of the top teams going forward in the next few months and hopefully we can stay clear of injuries."

And we're off. It's that familiar Sports Personality soundtrack... the smashing of cymbals, trumpets... and Jim Kerr's Simple Minds starts singing 'Waterfront'. "Get in, get out of the rain," he sings. "I'm goin' to move on up to the Waterfront." The crowd are clapping... glow sticks are waving... They didn't have any of this in 1954.

Image source, Getty Images

1962, what a year that was. The BBC broadcast the first episode of Z-Cars, Panda crossings were introduced in Britain (don't ask, think zebra crossing but with triangles), the first legal casino opened in Britain and Anita Lonsbrough became the first female to win BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

The swimmer, then 21, had won Commonwealth gold in the 110 yards breaststroke, 220 yards breaststroke and 440 yards individual medley, adding to the Olympic 200m breaststroke gold she won in Rome two years earlier.

Image source, BBC Sport

Here's a fact for you. More BBC Sport Personality winners have come from the world of athletics than any other sport. Seventeen of the previous 60 winners have plied their trade in track and field, with the second most popular sport, Formula 1, providing six winners.

Image source, @_SamanthaMurray

World modern pentathlon champion Samantha Murray, external gets in on the selfie act. On one side, comedian Eddie Izzard, on the other, British tennis player Lisa Whybourn.

Hannah Cockroft
Paralympic and world champion on BBC Radio 5 live

"It has to be Jordanne Whiley winning the US Open in the wheelchair tennis to win the Grand Slam."

What were your favourite sporting moments of the year? Tweet us your thoughts using the hashtag #SPOTY

Image source, Getty Images

Sochi hosted the Winter Olympics, thankfully there was gold and snow, and as the frost and chill made way for spring, the Six Nations warmed and Ireland went into full bloom.

Image source, Getty Images

The summer sizzled: Wimbledon's red-hot aces, the World Cup's scorching goals and Commonwealth golds in a baking(ish) Glasgow.

Image source, Getty Images

And in Gleneagles there was an Indian Summer as Europe's Ryder Cup team came on top once more.

Graeme Swann
Former England cricketer on BBC Radio 5 live

"For someone desperate to play golf, it was great to see Europe beating the Yanks. And my mate Alastair Cook scoring 90 at the Rose Bowl towards the end of the summer."

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport in Glasgow

Scottish band Simple Minds will be opening the show - and frontman Jim Kerr recalled their song Waterfront, which was written about the area of the River Clyde where the SSE Hydro now stands.

"It is amazing to see it now, there has been so much regeneration," said Kerr.

"It's a sign of the progress made that the show is here and it will be great to perform in our home town."

Image source, BBC Sport

If you are going to peek through the BBC Sports Personality archives, turn your attention to 1985 the year Barry McGuigan won - or Barry McCochran as he was named when the announcement was made, much to the amusement of Frank Bruno who was sitting next to him.

Presenters Clare Balding, Gabby Logan and Gary Lineker have appeared on stage to say hello to the crowd. "There's going to be a lot of noise tonight," predicts Logan, looking resplendent in a blue and black dress. Lineker is remaining silent, though, as the Match of the Day presenter has a sore throat. Best get gargling some whiskey, Gary.

Image source, BBC Sport

I'm not one to tell tales, but in 1957 Dai Rees apparently became a national celebrity after helping Europe's Ryder Cup team to victory for their first win over the United States since 1933. The Welshman, then 44, remains the oldest winner of the award.

So, this is what we've got in store for us this evening and, being as we're all (probably) feeling festive, let's sing it to the tune of Twelve Days of Christmas:

At tonight's Sports Personality there will be... Simple Minds singing, Hacker T Dog, a team of the year, lots of clapping, even more voting, plenty of dry ice, a Royal guest, thousands of selfies, a lifetime achievement, an unsung hero, one happy coach and a BBC Sports personality-y-y-y-y.

Image source, Getty Images

And breathe.

Image source, @NickyBenedetti

Violinist Nicola Benedetti,, external who will be performing as part of tonight's Sports Personality show, has found some words of inspiration. For our non-Scottish audience, 'Gie it laldy' translates roughly as 'give it your all'.

"I will be exactly that tonight," she tweets.

BBC Radio 5 live

The red carpet coverage has now finished, mainly because there isn't anyone on it anymore. The carpet isn't actually the reason why Britain's best sports stars are here this evening.

But don't go thinking you can turn your attentions onto Strictly Come Dancing or X-Factor because live coverage has begun on BBC Radio 5 live - and the show itself will be broadcast live on BBC1 and online at 20:00 GMT.

Image source, @MJ88Live

Michael Jamieson:, external Having a blast at SPOTY tonight - got my selfie in with Rory McIlroy.

Image source, PA

We weren't making it up. Sports Personality contender Lewis Hamilton has turned up with his bulldog Roscoe and there are pictures to prove it. Hopefully the Briton has brought his pooper scooper with him because I don't think Gary Lineker, Gabby Logan or Clare Balding have such tasks written into their contracts. Hopefully no-one at the BBC has...

Nominee Jo Pavey, who won European Championship gold in the 10,000m, at the age of 40: "Glasgow was such an amazing experience. I was more surprised than anyone else.

"I was just hoping for a team place as I was still breastfeeding in April.

"To be here as one of the 10 is unbelievable.

"I feel so honoured. It's happened at the happiest part of my life. I have two lovely children and a supportive husband, it's so special."

Image source, BBC Sport

It wouldn't be a Scottish sporting knees-up without three-time Formula 1 champion Sir Jackie Stewart.

"Both Lewis and Nico [Rosberg] were pushing and shoving. It made it exciting," he says of this year's season finale. "I would like to have seen closer racing within the rest of the field, but it was still a good year. Fernando Alonso has the best brains of any racing driver, so it's going to be exciting next year."