Sports Personality of the Year LIVE: Winners revealed as Mary Earps and Manchester City claim top prizes

And that, logically, allows Stuart Broad to come in off his long run for a chat.

“Honestly, I could never have written a more fairytale finish. The best wicket you can take in cricket is the one that wins a Test match; to do it with my last ball in Test cricket to beat Australia was pretty cool.

“I think this summer, the 2023 Ashes, was full of emotion and drama, so competitive. I love that part of it and the Australians bring the best out of me.

“It was really special walking off and knowing that my family had seen my final act on a cricket pitch. Ultimately, cricket is my greatest hobby so I want to stay within the game. Although I won’t be bowling or hitting any more balls, I’ll still be part of the cricket family.”

Former England seamer Isa Guha and broadcaster Greg James take us through the highlights of an incident-packed Ashes summer, which ended in two drawn series and two Australia retentions in a glittering year for the nation’s batters and bowlers.

The 16-year-old became the youngest snowboarding world champion in the spring, and the first Brit to take a snowboard slopestyle world title.

“It was one of my biggest dreams. I think the Olympics in the next two years obviously, so I’m going to keep going and try and get gold there. Thank you everyone.”

...is Young Sports Personality of the Year.

Up for this are:

Mia Brookes, snowboarding

Penny Healey, archery

Charlie McIntyre, wheelchair basketball

The wheelchair tennis star is one of the most decorated players of all time, and coming off the back of another remarkable year.

He joins Clare Balding up on stage. “Tennis means everything to me. It really opened up a massive opportunity for me. I was a seven-year-old who didn’t enjoy the wheelchair, couldn’t come to terms with my disability, but I found a love of tennis. I started to really embrace myself in another sport. To be on the stage here tonight getting the recognition for what I’ve done is something that I’m really grateful for.

“I know it is my name that is on the screen, but I wouldn’t be where I would be today without all the people who have been in my corner since day one. There have been a lot of highs, but some lows as well. I want to thank them for everything they do. They really help drive my tennis in the right direction.

“There’s not many interviews I do these days where people don’t mention Wimbledon or a gold medal. I’m going to try my best next year.”

Danny Dyer provides the recap of the footballing year, culminating in a triumph for his beloved West Ham in the Europa Conference League final. Special mention, though, is extended to Manchester City’s treble-winners:

Appearing via video link from France, Dettori (clad in a black shirt) apologises for not wearing a tuxedo.

“I’ve been in Australia for a month and I’ve only got four days off before I fly to the US and start riding on boxing day. I’m very sorry [I can’t be there].

“To be, I’m already a winner. To get into the last six, racing to me is very important, but other sports perhaps appeal more to wider audiences. I really feel a winner to be in the last six. Apart from Stuart Broad, the other contestants weren’t even born when I started riding! I’m the old man of the group.

“Athletes can sympathise with me - as you get older, you have to train more to compete with people half my age. Fitness is very important. The most important thing is your mental state, and the anger you have to have to keep on winning.

“At the beginning of the season, I thought, ‘well, I’m 52, I want to stop at the top’. I thought I’d call it quits, and I’d walk away into the sunset and say my last farewell to eveyrone. But wherever I went I kept on winning. I got to August and thought, ‘oh my god, am I doing the right thing here?’ But I told everyone I was quitting, so I sort of snookered myself. My only option that I had was emigrate to the USA because it’s the last chance I have to continue what I love until one day I say, ‘enough is enough’. But the desire of winning is still there. I’m sorry everyone - I made a mistake!”

Through a few of the highlights of the first quarter of the year we whizz, with Gabby Logan reserving a farewell to Mo Farah, a former SPOTY winner, after the distance runner’s retirement earlier this year.

KJT reflects on her emotional journey back from injury and loss, fighting back to secure her second World Championships gold in the heptathlon, a gutsy final run securing the title in Budapest.

And here she is in Salford, catching up with Gabby Logan.

“The strength for me came from the team around me. My coach, Aston, my partner, my mum, Denise [Lewis] and some of my training partners that are here - they rallied around me and gave me the confidence I didn’t see in myself.

“I think going into 2023, I had nothing to lose. I’ve seen rock bottom in many different forms, and I didn’t want the perception of me to be what you saw in Tokyo. I’m happy that I am able to stand here today to be able to say that despite the injuries and the heartbreak, you can have a career.

[On next year being 12 years from Jessica Ennis-Hill’s Olympic heptathlon gold, and 24 years after Denise Lewis claimed the same crown] “I do love an even number. I was there to witness Jess and she was a huge inspiration when she had that moment in 2012. Everyone knows Denise has been such a rock during my career so I’d love to have that ending.”

Logan’s microphone is back operational. She’s found Josh Kerr, clearly not put off attending by his cruel snub:

“It takes a little bit of time [to get used to]” the 1500m world champion says of having that title next to his name. “I think the first time you get introduced as a world champion is pretty special. Now I’m getting used to it.”

Hannah Cockcroft is here, too.

“We’ve got a big year coming up,” she says. “Everything to play for in the next year. A lot of pressure on my shoulders but I’m thriving.”