BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2012

Just 45 minutes to go (plus overrun) and they still haven't opened the phone lines (though have provided a recap of the numbers you cannot ring!)

So Bradley Wiggins is the hot favourite going into the event but could he suffer the curse of the first, while Mo Farah has been left till towards the end (think only David Weir is left). Based on the crowd reaction though it would be nice to see a bit of an upset and Ellie Simmonds take it.

Love the use of the music from the Industrial Revolution section of the opening ceremony during the recap.

Eurovision closed window voting period, like it, lots.

For me (and I expect I'm in a minority) this ceremony takes itself far too seriously.

I preferred it back in the day when they used to have a bit of fun with it.

Seems this is running pretty late. Due off air in 5 minutes and we still havent had the Overseas Personality, Seb Coe's lifetime achievement award or SPOTY itself.

They always overrun badly - which annoys me every year. Is it because it is made by sport that they are more relaxed about hiting the closing time? You don't see strictly running late even at the final.

I take issue with you here. I think Gary Lineker and Clare Balding have been great fun tonight.

The BBC broke their own rules with the Team of the Year award for Team GB.


SPOTY Voting & Judging: Terms & conditions 2012 - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/sports-personality/19997397

TEAM OF THE YEAR

For the team in an individual sport or sporting discipline that has achieved the most notable performance in the calendar year to date. The team should have significant UK interest or involvement.

For the avoidance of doubt this criteria excludes Team GB/Paralympics GB but includes the likes of British Cycling, Rowing Coxless Four and the European Ryder Cup team.

The expert panel responsible for choosing the shortlist for the main Sports Personality of the Year award will decide the 1st, 2nd and 3rd places for the Team of the Year award based on reaching a consensus view. If a consensus view cannot be reached on the top three, then the Panel will be asked to vote. In the event of a tied vote, the Chairperson's decision will be binding.

The winner will be announced during the Sports Personality of the Year show, with details on the BBC website.

I think they must have decided "hey, we're the BBC and its our Sports Personality of the year so we can do whatever we want and balls to the Ts&Cs."

There's also a disclaimer to say the criteria for this (and other awards) could be changed so long as there was unanimous agreement amongst the panel members.

Bradley Wiggins...right choice IMHO.

It has gone to Team GB as a whole before, though back in 2008 it quite rightly went to the cycling team specifically.