I'll get to the shortlist in a little while, but first...
As last year Gary, Clare, Gabby and Alex are presenting from Dock10 with no studio audience (there was to have been one this year, but of course Omicron put paid to that).
Gary is already the longest-serving SPOTY presenter - this will be the 22nd consecutive year he's done it, not counting his sideline role at Sports Personality of the Century in 1999 - and having just turned 61 he'll now surpass Harry Carpenter as the oldest SPOTY presenter too. While I see no reason why he can't continue doing it for as long as he wants to, I can't help but wonder if, when appointing Alex last year, the Beeb were looking ahead and considering an all-female presenting team when Gary does eventually leave (presumably with Clare as the lead presenter). I certainly wouldn't have a problem with that.
Now on to the shortlist...
"And we've had five races so far this year - Brazil, Argentina, Imola, Schumacher and Monaco!" -- Murray Walker, 1995
To the presentation itself, I don't think much has changed from previous editions thus far. The show has got a good tempo going despite only having awarded one trophy in the first 50 minutes (I'd rather the awards were not as end-heavy). I also stick with my opinion that four presnters is one or two many for a programme but they have made it work quite well; Gabby & Gary and Clare & Alex have split into two seperate pairings handing links and interviews, an idea which makes the ensemble of presenters work better.
Narrowing it down to six contenders, especially with such a hot favourite to win, just narrowed down my interest really. I think had they had it as 10-12 nominees, as in previous Olympic years, it would have felt like more of a celebration of sport as a whole, rather than a few selected individuals.
Winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award, while undoubtedly a legend of the sport and overcome obstacles over the last few years is odd in my opinion as she is younger than me (I am late 20s)
While not taking anything away from the winners and coach of the year, I felt there were other more deserved winners
One has to be fair though - England's footballers had no real competition aside perhaps from Team GB and ParalympicsGB, and Southgate had next to no competition at all.
Feel perfectly free to disagree, however.
"And we've had five races so far this year - Brazil, Argentina, Imola, Schumacher and Monaco!" -- Murray Walker, 1995
While not taking anything away from the winners and coach of the year, I felt there were other more deserved winners
One has to be fair though - England's footballers had no real competition aside perhaps from Team GB and ParalympicsGB, and Southgate had next to no competition at all.
Feel perfectly free to disagree, however.
I felt Team GB or Paralympics GB should have got it personally and for coach of the year, this is my bias as a Northern Ireland fan should be Kenny Shiels who got a team of mainly part timers (bar the big names like Simone McGill, Rachel Furness etc) to the Euros 2022 in England but England were brilliant in the summer as was Southgate and if they had of won the final I would of had no complaints
A bit of an insult to not even nominate the two people who became the greatest male and female Team GB Olympians respectively this year and then have them present the award.
Few names there tonight like Laura Kenny, Jason Kenny, Hannah Cockroft should probably feel aggrieved they weren't nominated at least but felt the top 3 deserved it.
While I see no reason why he can't continue doing it for as long as he wants to, I can't help but wonder if, when appointing Alex last year, the Beeb were looking ahead and considering an all-female presenting team when Gary does eventually leave (presumably with Clare as the lead presenter). I certainly wouldn't have a problem with that. 
