Andy Murray, Amir Khan, Rory McIlroy for BBC Sports Personality 2011
Published Nov 28 2011, 19:30 GMT | By Paul Millar
The BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2011 top ten shortlist has been announced.Tennis star Andy Murray earns a nomination, having reached the final of the Australian Open this year and the semi-finals of three other grand slams.
Boxer Amir Khan, who is eight fights undefeated and will battle to retain the light-welterweight WBA and IBF world titles in December, is also shortlisted for the ceremony's top prize.
© Rex Features / BSkyB
© Rex Features
Golfer Rory McIlroy is in the frame for the award, after winning his first major title in a record-breaking US Open victory.
Cricketer Andrew Strauss will also compete for the public vote after captaining England to Ashes victory in Australia, and overseeing a series whitewash against India.
© Rex Features / Russell Pritchard/Press Eye Ltd
© PA Images / Steve Parsons/PA Wire
The other nominees are Strauss's teammate Alastair Cook, golfers Darren Clarke and Luke Donald, athletes Mo Farah and Dai Greene, and cyclist Mark Cavendish.
Other awards to be presented on the night include 'Team of the Year', 'Coach of the Year', 'Lifetime Achievement' and 'Sports Unsung Hero'.
The BBC Sports Personality of the Year, hosted by Gary Lineker, Sue Barker and Jake Humphrey, will be broadcast from Salford on Thursday, December 22 at 8pm on BBC One.
Watch jockey AP McCoy win BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2010 below:
He should be automatically disqualified since he doesnt have a personality ;-)
November 29th 2011 at 2:39pm
I'm thinking of holding a British Sportswoman Personality of the Year award for 2011 - who's with me?
November 29th 2011 at 2:20pm
Samuel Mansell that same argument could be said of most of the guys on the list - Andy Murray is the best and most consistent British tennis player in over 60yrs, Mo Farah is the best and most consistent middle distance runner since the 1980s, Mark Cavendish is the best British cyclist arguably ever, Dai Greene the best and most consistent hurdler since Sally Gunnell ... etc ... I would also argue that Luke Donald has disappointed in the majors this year which in my opinion rules him out of contention (more so than Murray in the tennis Grand Slams in which he reached at least semi-finals in all).
November 29th 2011 at 1:15pm
James Wardle Ah no Heath Ledger was outstanding as the Joker. I agree with Alan but I do hope they do a piece to recognise him and his achievements on the show.
November 29th 2011 at 1:10pm
Typical Internet really. Just because someone has died doesn't mean they should instantly qualify for the top awards, it's Heath Ledger all over again. And this isn't a dig, I am a football fan Gary Speed was great ambassador for the sport, and his death is sad. :(
November 29th 2011 at 11:13am