BROADCASTING: BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2011 – Live from Salford Quays

This year’s Sports Personality of the Year will be held at the BBC’s new studios at MediaCityUK, Salford Quays, the corporation has confirmed.

The new home of BBC Sport will become the eleventh different venue to play host to the annual sporting celebration on Thursday 22nd December.

This year’s show has been switched to a Thursday evening slot to accomodate the schedules of some of the likely contenders for the main award, and to avoid a head-to-head clash with ITV’s X Factor final.

SPOTY’s regular presenting trio of Sue Barker, Gary Lineker and Jake Humphrey will return to host proceedings for a fourth successive year together on BBC One and BBC One HD.

They will be joined by a galaxy of sporting talent from past and present to reflect on another vintage sporting year.

The grand finale will once again be a public vote for the coveted BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, taken from a top 10 shortlist nominated by a panel of sporting experts.

BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2010 – Winner AP McCoy

More than 12 million viewers tuned in to watch jockey AP McCoy take the prestigious award at last year’s ceremony.

Unlike previous years, the 2011 SPOTY show will be a closed event, therefore no public tickets will be put on sale. However, a small number of public tickets will be made available by public ballot.

Barbara Slater, BBC Director of Sport, said: “MediaCityUK in Salford will be a fitting venue for the 2011 BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

“The facilities at the site are fantastic and the area has such a top-class sporting heritage, boasting top flight teams across many sports. This is a great opportunity to celebrate that.”

Celebrate Sport

SPOTY 2011 will also stand as the culmination of Celebrate Sport, two weeks of sporting events taking place at MediaCityUK, Salford Quays, throughout December.

The mix of live shows, exhibitions, tours and interactive experiences will give thousands of adults and children the chance to immerse themselves in the exciting world of sport, including:

• BBC Radio 5 Live’s iconic football phone-in, 606, and the 5 Live Sports Personality backstage show both broadcast in front of live studio audiences for the first time, plus The Monday Night Club and Fighting Talk live
• A Christmas Concert with the BBC Philharmonic and the Manchester United Foundation Youth Choir, recording a sport themed concert in front of an audience for broadcast on BBC Radio Manchester
• The National Football Museum will be in residence for two weeks, showcasing objects from their collection and some fun football-related activities
• Sue Barker with Matt Dawson and Phil Tufnell in a special “Audience with Question of Sport”
• Plus special events with Match Of The Day and Football Focus, interactive exhibitions, children’s activities and much more

“It’s wonderful to be able to also offer so many people the chance to get involved through Celebrate Sport which will throw open the doors to many exciting sport events and experiences,” said Slater.

Those interested in tickets for these events can go to bbc.co.uk/sportspersonality for details on how to register.

BBC Sports Unsung Hero 2011

The BBC also announced the opening of nominations for its Sports Unsung Hero 2011 award.

One of the key awards at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year event, BBC Sports Unsung Hero award have been run annually since 2003.

They recognise special people who dedicate their lives to promoting sport in their community, taking no reward from it other than the pleasure of helping others to take part and enjoy their sport.

Last year’s winner was Lance Haggith, who works tirelessly in grassroots sports in Bedfordshire, raising money from three sports kit shops.

Nominations can be made via a form from the BBC Sports Unsung Hero website, by calling 03700 100 800 or picked up from BBC Local Radio and Regional TV centres.

BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2011