Sports Personality of the Year LIVE: Latest updates and results as Beth Mead wins award ahead of Ben Stokes

Time for the Helen Rollason Award, which is given “for outstanding achievement in the face of adversity”.

This year’s winner is Rob Burrow.

Earlier this year, fans and well-wishers took to social media to express support for the former Leeds Rhinos and England star, following a BBC documentary showing him coping with the effects of Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

Speaking with the aid of a computer screen connected through an eye-controlled keyboard, Burrow responded to his family, his medical aides and detailed his feelings about day-to-day life with wife Lindsey.

“I’m a prisoner in my own body. I was such a hands-on dad, you hate to see your wife doing it alone,” he said.

“I didn’t think she had signed up to look after me so soon. She’s my very own superhero.”

A moment now for the Rugby League World Cups. For the first time this year, the men’s, women’s and wheelchair tournaments were held at the same time and in the same country.

England’s men were stunned by Samoa in the semi-finals, who were then beaten by Australia in the final. Australia also won the women’s tournament but England were wheelchair champions.

The Unsung Hero award winner is Mike Alden, who has been involved in community football for 25 years. He was diagnosed with brittle bones disease aged four and has broken every bone in his body. Despite this, he strives to provide opportunities to others through Park Knowle FC.

Matt Fitzpatrick, the winner of the US Open, is rather fittingly highlighted before the ‘Unsung Hero’ award. Fitzpatrick was a notable absentee from tonight’s shortlist.

Beth Mead: “It’s not something that I though would be possible, but the team who walked off that stage... I wouldn’t have played the football I played without them.

“The girls are like a family away from home. When things were difficult at home they were there to support me.

“I still pinch myself and need time to reflect on this year, but I’m so proud of what I’ve done and what my team has done.

“Anyone watching now, enjoy your football and don’t forget the reason why you started.”

Mead, who ruptured her ACL last month, has made it onto the stage without her crutches.

Beth Mead

The Arsenal forward was named player of the tournament in England’s Euro 2022 success and also won the golden boot after scoring six goals and adding five assists. Her international goal tally for the season of 20 was a new England record.

Mead: “I know I’m not going to share all them moments with my mum for the rest of her life anymore. So to share that moment with her last summer was just incredible. For me football has always been my first true love. My mum sacrificed so much, she worked two jobs. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. Nearly a year down the line we found out it was actually incurable, she’s still fighting.”

Mead’s father, Richard: “2021 was a difficult year. We found out her mam was suffering from ovarian cancer. The diagnosis with her mam, that was a trigger I think to show the world what Beth Mead was really about. I think in the Euros she managed to do that. They’d won the Euros, she’d won player of the tournament, won the Golden Boot. Everything Beth has achieved, she’s achieved it for us as a family and for her mam.”

A few players, including Leah Williamson are away playing tonight, but Ellen White, Mary Earps, Ella Toone, Alessia Russo, Jill Scott, Lauren Hemp and Sarina Wiegman are all on stage.

“Growing up, we didn’t have female footballers to look up to as much,” says Toone. “We want to be role models.”

“I’m privileged to work with them,” says Wiegman. “They are a great group of people.”

It’s Lionesses time! “I felt we were destined to bring it home, not go home,” says Mary Earps, as England’s journey throughout the Euros is shown, from the group stages to Spain, Sweden, and Wembley...

“We weren’t that aware of how crazy it was getting,” captain Leah Williamson says. “We’ve changed the course of women’s football forever,” says Lucy Bronze.

And, to the tune of Freed from Desire, here they come!

The Wimbledon round-up features a special mention of Sue Barker, in what was a remarkable year of goodbyes in tennis with Serena Williams and Roger Federer both retiring from the sport.