BBC Red Button

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2008 BBC Sports Personality of the Year winner Sir Chris Hoy on the BBC Red Button: "You feel sorry for the athletes that didn't make it onto the list. It's very tough to make the list, what a list it is. I have no idea who is going to win, it's very exciting.

"You never think you're going to win. I didn't in 2008, when they read your name out, it's so surreal. I certainly didn't plan a speech myself, what an honour it is. When you look at the names on the trophy and you see your names next to them, what a special achievement it is.

"It's the only trophy, out of everything that I've won that I keep out on display. It's a special one, it really does mean a lot. I've got it near the TV so I can look at it every day."

Matthew Henry
BBC Sport at the P&J Live Arena

The tricks of TV as Newsround interview England manager Phil Neville on a box...

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BBC Red Button

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Sports Personality of the Year nominee Alun Wyn Jones on BBC's Red Button: "I don't think there's any nerves here tonight. I'm more nervous about the interviews than the award itself. For me the nomination is massive after a big year, with a great group of guys in the red shirt of Wales. Just to have that recognition is really special.

"Grand Slams aren't as easy as they appear or people talk them down. Coming off an autumn series where we were unbeaten the pressure was on - to come through it was really pleasing.

"I'm looking forward to meeting the other nominees and congratulating them. There's a lot of other inspiring stories, social and community awards. It's just nice to see sport being celebrated across the board."

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at the P&J Live Arena

Dina Asher-Smith, one of six contenders on the Sports Personality shortlist after winning world 200m gold in Qatar, admits the 2020 Tokyo Olympics is already on her mind.

“It’s been a great year for me, breaking boundaries, breaking new frontiers,” said Asher-Smith, 24, who won in a new national record time of 21.88 seconds.

“Now it’s on to the Olympics next year. As soon as I finished the relay in Qatar, I was thinking about it.”

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Tonight we will celebrate some of the best sporting moments and achievements throughout the year but what about your personal highlights?

Did you score a hat-trick in a cup final? Have you brought your handicap down to an all-time low? Did you pull off a backhand spring for the first time?

I want to know. Tweet me using #SPOTY or text 81111 (UK only).

BBC Red Button

Sports Personality of the Year nominee Katarina Johnson-Thompson: "It's been an incredible year. It's still not settled in yet. It's a great way to end the year coming here, too. It's taken me years and years to get to this level and it might just be it's my peak season. This year is the year it all came together for me. I've been able to handle things better mentally but at the end of the day it's sport, and nobody knows what is going to happen on the day. Just being recognised alongside people like Ben Stokes and Lewis Hamilton is a huge honour for me."

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Matthew Henry
BBC Sport at the P&J Live Arena

It hasn’t all been about tonight’s ceremony this week in Aberdeen. Over the past few days there has been a festival of sport at a local sports centre with a load of activities for kids to try and Q&As with sporting legends like Denis Law and Baroness Grey-Thompson.

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at the P&J Live Arena

Doddie Weir was among the early arrivals and is looking suitably Scottish before he receives the Helen Rollason Award.

"I feel very humble," he said.

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BBC Red Button

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Sports Personality of the Year nominee Ben Stokes speaking to BBC's Red Button: "Obviously winning the World Cup was the pinnacle of the year. To be involved in something like that is hard to describe. We will always be able to look back on it as players.

"Australia managed to retain the Ashes but we still had a lot to play for - pride being a main thing and obviously not wanting to lose to Australia. No Englishman wants to lose to Australia! Coming out with a draw topped off a summer which will be very memorable.

"Even just to be recognised and nominated [for this award] is special. When I saw the video of Ed Sheeran announcing it, that alone was just incredible. It's a great night."

Here's all the information you need to vote. You need to register for a BBC account beforehand if you haven't already got one.

Follow this link here to register. It only takes a few minutes.

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BBC Red Button

England Women's manager Phil Neville speaking to BBC's Red Button: "It's been a great year, not just for the Lionesses but for women's football. We have taken on the world, gone to a world cup and loads of people tuned in. They know the players now. We are in a good year. It's getting better and better and we need to keep getting better and better.

"I always think this is the pinnacle event of the year where the best elite athletes come together from all sports. It's the absolute peak, the best sportspeople in the world are here tonight."

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Matthew Henry
BBC Sport at the P&J Live Arena

Katarina Johnson-Thompson told me the last Sports Personality she came to was in 2014 when she was “running around trying to get photos with the nominees like an excited schoolgirl”.

She says it is “incredible” to be nominated for the main award this year.

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So here are the six sportsmen and women who have been nominated for tonight's main award.

We have representatives from athletics, Formula 1, Rugby Union, football and cricket. Not bad!

DINA ASHER-SMITH

LEWIS HAMILTON

KATARINA JOHNSON-THOMPSON

ALUN WYN JONES

RAHEEM STERLING

BEN STOKES

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Scotland rugby union great Doddie Weir, who will be honoured with the Helen Rollason Award tonight, has spoken on the red carpet!

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at the P&J Live Arena

A comedy moment on the red carpet as one interviewer mistakenly says ‘Hello Alun’ to ... Ben Stokes.

The cricketer takes it with good grace and says of rugby union player Alun Wyn Jones: ‘Well, we are a similar height’

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BBC Red Button

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Snowboarder Jenny Jones, who won bronze at the 2014 Winter Olympics, was chatting to 11-year-old skateboarder Sky Brown on the red carpet.

"I follow you on Instagram and I love it! I have seen you do so well. You have learnt some really good tricks too haven't you?"

Sky nods, smiles and is then asked about her love for surfing and whether she is eyeing up the summer Olympics.

"I want to. I would love it. I will try and do it for the next Olympics. I'm just having fun skating and surfing."

She also says her brother Ocean is the "best brother ever!" and then pulls off a few tricks on her skateboard in front of the cameras. How amazing is Sky?!

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Gazza is in the house people!!!

Legend.

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Matthew Henry
BBC Sport at the P&J Live Arena

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Chris Hoy has some advice for tonight’s winner...

Don’t forget anyone in your speech.

BBC Red Button

Baroness Grey-Thompson speaking to BBC's Red Button: "It's so important we move SPOTY round the country. The venue is unbelievable. The tickets sold out straight away too!

"I'm really glad it's a public vote. Those guys [the nominees] are nervous but it's just a celebration of British sports.

On the nominees being nervous: "I grew up watching this as a kid thinking wouldn't it be amazing to be there one day? When you're doing your sport, you're in control and know what you're doing. This show is out of people's comfort zones. The fans too, people want to be a part of this celebration.

"London 2012 was amazing. We have to remember that the Commonwealth Games in Manchester helped build on that and then the Games in Glasgow was stunning. We are good at organising sport!

"My career wouldn't exist without volunteers. For the people who do it for no other reason than because they want to deserve huge recognition."

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