BBC Sports Personality of the Year LIVE as Rory McIlroy is favourite

Right, these are changing rapidly, but here are the winners odds for the main event tonight, courtesy of our friends at SkyBet:

• Rory McIlroy 4/7
• Chloe Kelly 7/2
• Lando Norris 7/2
• Luke Littler 22/1
• Ellie Kildunne 40/1
• Hannah Hampton 66/1

Rory is the big, big favourite there. But we will see!

It has been a frustrating time for McIlroy, having not won a major for over a decade – until this year.

The Northern Irishman rolled back the years when he won the Masters, completing the Grand Slam with a dramatic play-off victory.

A few months later, he anchored Team Europe to Ryder Cup victory in the United States, securing three-and-a-half points for his side.

Potentially the most household name on the list – if that even makes sense – is Luke Littler, the 18-year-old World Darts Champion.

Having burst on the scene at 16 and making it all the way to the world championship final before losing to good friend Luke Humphries, Littler was the player to follow, and he had an extraordinary debut year on the tour, which culminated in becoming world champion in January at the age of 16.

He’s also won the likes of the UK Open, the World Matchplay, the Grand Prix and the Players Championship Finals this year, and is currently in the midst of hunting another world title too.

Having run Max Verstappen close last year in the race to become Formula One world champion but ultimately falling well short, many wondered if Lando Norris had what it took to win the big one.

This year, though, he showed he did indeed. After team-mate Oscar Piastri had led the drivers’ standings for most of the season, Norris prevailed, seeing off a challenge from Verstappen in the final race of the season to become the 11th Brit to take the crown.

Ellie Kildunne scored five tries as England won the Rugby World Cup this summer.

Her tournament almost unravelled when she missed the quarter-final win due to concussion, but a return against France in the semis – and two tries in the win – got it back on track with a bang.

80,000 watched on as Kildune inspired England to victory over Canada in the final, scoring a fine solo try, and she also helped her side achieve the Grand Slam in the Six Nations earlier in the year.

I feel like I’m just celebrity spotting at this point… but such is live during the arrival snaps.

Here’s Thierry Henry and family, Beth Tweddle.. and Angry Ginge!

That man gets about, doesn’t he? Talk of the town right now.

Hempton’s fellow Lioness, Chloe Kelly, wasn’t even in England’s starting team in the tournament, but, my word, did she make an impact from the bench.

In January, her future was up in the air following a falling out with Manchester City, but a move to Arsenal saw her win the Champions League and then the Euros.

For England, she scored in the quarter-final shootout win over Sweden, netted the winner against Italy in the semis and then scored the decisive penalty against Spain. A player for the big stage.

So nice she had to do it twice, she said of England retaining their trophy.

Lioness Hannah Hampton had to bide her time, paying as deputing to apparent nemesis Mary Earps for a long time in the England team, but grabbed her chance with both hands when she was named as Sarina Wiegman’s No1 for this year’s Euros defence.

The 25-year-old saved two penalties in a dramatic shootout in the final win over Spain as she was named Player of the Match and scooped the goalkeeper spot in the Team of the Tournament.

She also helped Chelsea to a domestic Treble, and left fans laughing when she apparently threw opposing goalkeeper Cata Coll’s water bottle – with her notes on – into the stands during the shootout.

Hampton also won the Yashin Trophy at the Ballon d’Or awards earlier this year.

Here are the sixth athletes who have made the shortlist for the main award:

• Hannah Hampton (football)
• Chloe Kelly (football)
• Ellie Kildunne (rugby union)
• Luke Littler (darts)
• Rory McIlroy (golf)
• Lando Norris (Formula One)

Let’s dive into the years they have had!

Here are the two favourites!

Chloe Kelly is donning a black dress with a slicked back ponytail and side fringe, with Rory McIlroy in his black suit.

Chloe has also posed alongside her husband, Scott Moore.

Looking dapper!

Seven awards will be handed out in total tonight:

• Sports Personality of the Year
• World Sport Star of the Year
• Helen Rollason award
• Young Sports Personality of the Year
• Coach of the Year
• Team of the Year
• Lifetime Achievement award

Two are voted for by the public: Team of the Year and Sports Personality of the Year.

Here’s last year’s winner, Keely Hodgkinson, with the trophy.

The ceremony is still a little less than an hour away from getting started, but that doesn’t mean the stars haven’t been arriving in their droves!

Nominee Ellie Kildunne is here, as well as Torvill and Dean!

And there’s Lioness Michelle Agyemang – a nominee for the young SPOTY – and Lucy Bronze too, who could be part of the Team of the Year award with England alongside Agyemang!