Sue Barker, Gary Lineker and Jake Humphrey present the BBC Sports Personality of the Year from MediaCityUK, Salford.

The star-studded event features some of the greatest names in world sport and climaxes with the presentation of one of the most coveted awards in UK sport as viewers vote for the Sports Personality of the Year from shortlist of ten contenders.

Last year's winner was jockey AP McCoy and this year promises to be another close contest with a number of strong contenders for the main award. There have been some stunning individual performances, including golfers Rory McIlroy and Darren Clarke winning their first majors, and Mark Cavendish - arguably the fastest man on two wheels - winning the green jersey at the Tour de France and earning victory in the World Road Championship.

Mo Farah and Dai Greene both collected world titles at the World Athletics Championships, while Alastair Cook inspired England's cricket team to number one in the world. Rebecca Adlington, Keri-Anne Payne and Liam Tancock have all won swimming world titles in 2011 and there is sure to be a host of other great world champions from a wide variety of sports attending the event.

The show will also relive the highs and lows of the other big sporting moments of the year, including the fascinating race for top football honours between Manchester City and Manchester United, all the thrills and spills from the Rugby World Cup, the Ashes and a gripping F1 season.

A special Lifetime Achievement Award honours one of the world's true sporting legends. Further awards include Team of the Year, Coach of the Year, Overseas Sports Personality, Young Sports Personality of the Year, Sports Unsung Hero and the Helen Rollason Award for outstanding achievement in the face of adversity.

Many of the top names in sport will be present. Alongside the nominees are former award winners, plus some of the world's greatest Olympians as the countdown to next year's Games in London begins. Show less