Wednesday 19th December

When the BBC first thought of having an annual round-up programme about Sport they could never have imagined the behemoth they have spawned.  SP12 as it has been ‘trendily’ renamed was a massive production which I would imagine gained a huge audience.  As backslappings go it is beginning to rival the Oscars.  And this year has of course been an immense year.  Far too many contenders for the coveted prize, where in past years such diminutive figures as Mark Cavendish and Ryan Giggs (before his dalliances became known) have stepped forward to receive an honour for what exactly?  But this year we had the home Olympics and Paralympics with all the great athletes achieving truly great things.

I along with many others had hoped it might be a Paralympian this year, and at least they were well represented amongst the contenders.  And though if I could have been bothered to have picked up the phone myself I would have voted for Mo Farrah in the end Bradley Wiggins was a worthy winner.  Not only for winning in almost offhand style an Olympic gold, but for the Tour de France victory just before the Olympics.  And it reminded us just how badly named the show and award actually are.  Sports Personality?   Almost none of them have one iota of personality at all.  Andy Murray, the surly Scot can just about mumble at press briefings and whether he has won or lost it is impossible to tell from his glum expression.   Jessica Ennis is sweetness and beauty and strength all in one tiny frame, and at least brought some real glamour to the proceedings.  But the only one who had a real personality, and one suspected even a glimmer of a life outside their sport was Wiggo himself.  And what a picture he looked in his dapper suit and immaculate sideburns and mod haircut.  Wiggo, a worthy winner at last.  And next year the Olympics will have faded and some footballer or maybe a racing driver or a golfer will step forward and mumble out their thanks with no personality at all.