BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2022 shortlist revealed

The shortlist for BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2022 has been revealed.

The contenders are (in alphabetical order):

Jessica Gadirova (Gymnastics)

It’s been a history-making year for Jessica, who became just the fifth British individual artistic gymnastics world champion when she won the floor title in Liverpool in November. The teenager also became the first British woman to win an all-around medal at the World Championships – taking bronze, having already won silver in the women’s team event. Prior to her world floor gold, Jessica retained the European equivalent in Munich. She also claimed the 2022 British national titles in the all-around, vault and floor events.

Beth Mead (Football)

Beth has had a phenomenal year and was a central star in the Lionesses’ historic success in winning Euro 22. She was named UEFA’s Player of the Tournament and also won the Golden Boot with six goals and five assists. Beth’s international goal tally for the 2021-22 campaign was 20 in 19 matches, breaking Jimmy Greaves’ long-standing record for the most England goals in one season. She was the runner-up for the 2022 Ballon d’Or Feminin, and was also named BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year and Arsenal Women’s Player of the Season.

Eve Muirhead (Curling)

At her fourth Winter Olympics, Eve finally landed curling’s most coveted prize, leading the women’s team through a tricky round-robin stage before clinching Britain’s only gold medal of the Games with a comprehensive win over Japan in the final. A couple of months later, Eve and fellow Scot Bobby Lammie went unbeaten in claiming gold at the World Mixed Doubles Championship, which completed her set of major titles. It proved the perfect way to round off an illustrious career, as she announced her retirement in the summer.

Ronnie O'Sullivan (Snooker)

Two decades after winning his first World Snooker Championship title, Ronnie clinched his seventh in 2022 to equal Stephen Hendry’s record of Crucible crowns. Ronnie defeated Judd Trump 18-13 in the final and, at 46, became the oldest world champion in the tournament’s history. Ronnie had headed to Sheffield as world number one for the first time since 2019. He has now won a record 39 ranking titles and earned his fourth Champion of Champions title in November, again beating Trump in the final.

Ben Stokes (Cricket)

In 2022, cricketing all-rounder Ben once again showed himself the man for the big occasion. His unbeaten 52 under huge pressure against Pakistan propelled England to T20 World Cup glory and meant they became the first team to simultaneously hold the men’s 20 and 50-over world titles. After taking on the role of England Test captain in April, Ben steered his side to six wins in their seven summer Tests. In May, he played an incredible innings for Durham when scoring 161 off just 88 balls, including a record 17 sixes, in the County Championship against Worcestershire. He has rounded off his year by helping seal England’s first away test series win in Pakistan in 22 years.

Jake Wightman (Athletics)

It was a memorable summer for middle-distance runner Jake, who won a full set of medals across three major championships. In July, he became Great Britain’s first 1500m world champion for almost 40 years, producing a brilliant final burst in Eugene to stun Olympic champion and pre-race favourite Jakob Ingebrigtsen. It was his stadium announcer father Geoff who called the winning finish, making the victory even more special. Jake followed that up with 1500m bronze at the Commonwealth Games and then 800m silver at the European Championships in Munich.

The six sport stars will compete for the public vote on the night of the live show on Wednesday 21 December. Live from Salford, presenters Gary Lineker, Clare Balding, Alex Scott and Gabby Logan will look back at an action-packed year of sport on BBC One from 6.45pm.

Tennis ace Emma Raducanu took home the title of BBC Sports Personality of the Year last year, with diver Tom Daley coming in second and swimmer Adam Peaty placing third.

The industry panel for this year’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year included former Olympian Denise Lewis and Paralympian Kelly Gallagher, as well as ex-snooker player Stephen Hendry.

Sports journalists Nancy Gillen (GiveMeSport), Jack Fox (Metro) and Tumaini Carayol (The Guardian) were also on the 2022 panel, in addition to Sue Butler (Head of Sports, S4C) and Sally Munday (CEO, UK Sport).

Representing the BBC were Director of Sport Barbara Slater, Head of TV Sport Philip Bernie and Sports Personality of the Year Executive Producer Gabby Cook.

The shortlist follows the news that Lionel Messi will receive the World Sport Star of the Year and Usain Bolt will take home the Lifetime Achievement award.

In addition to the main award, the other categories for 2022 will include World Sport Star of the Year, Helen Rollason award, Young Sports Personality of the Year, Unsung Hero, Coach of the Year, Team of the Year and the Lifetime Achievement award.

Votes can be cast by phone or online on the evening of Wednesday 21 December and the number to call for each contender will be revealed during the programme.