- Keely Hodgkinson capped off an incredible 2024 by winning the SPOTY award
- Luke Littler was forced to settle for second place with Joe Root coming third
- And the 17-year-old called out Man United hero David Beckham with a joke
Luke Littler had Salford in stitches as he called out David Beckham ast the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards ceremony.
The 17-year-old was asked what his highlight of the year had been – perhaps receiving a text from Manchester United legend David Beckham?
‘Yeah, he’s still not followed me, though,’ replied Littler – and that was enough to have the audience belly-laughing.
Beckham had texted Littler ahead of his 2024 World Darts Championship final clash with Luke Humphries wishing him good luck, as had Luke Shaw. Kobbie Mainoo and Jessie Lingard had followed him on social media.
Ultimately Littler had to settle for second as Keely Hodgkinson capped her golden year with a silver trophy as she became the fourth consecutive woman to win BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
The 22-year-old memorably claimed her first global gold medal with victory in the 800 metres at the Paris Olympics in August. And after swapping her spikes for stilettos, she once again finished first as she collected the iconic silver four-turret lens camera at last night’s BBC bash in Salford.
Luke Littler joked that David Beckham still hadn’t followed him back on social media at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award show
Beckham had wished Littler good luck ahead of his World Darts Championship final in January
Keely Hodgkinson won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award after a storming 2024
Hodgkinson topped the public vote ahead of darts sensation Littler, who was also named Young Sports Personality of the Year, and England’s all-time leading Test run-scorer Joe Root.
The Atherton athlete’s win follows that of fellow females Mary Earps, Beth Mead and Emma Raducanu, while she is the first track and field star to triumph since Mo Farah seven years ago.
‘I am in shock,’ admitted Hodgkinson, who also retained her European title in an unbeaten season. ‘This year has been absolutely incredible for me. I have achieved everything I wanted to on the outdoor track.
‘When you look at the names of the winners down the list, you have got Andy Murray, Lewis Hamilton, British icons, so it is great to put my name up there.
‘As a little girl, I dared to dream big. Just to be in this position now, with hopefully a long career and many more medals ahead, is a real privilege. I’m looking forward to hopefully doing it all again.’
It was an evening of double celebration for Hodgkinson as her husband-and-wife coaching team of Trevor Painter and Jenny Meadows collected the Coach of the Year prize. As well as guiding Hodgkinson to gold, they also led Georgia Bell to Olympic bronze in the 1500m and Lewis Davey to bronze in the men’s 4x400m.
‘I am actually more excited for my coach Trevor because I wouldn’t be where I am without him and his guidance that I have had since I was 17,’ added Hodgkinson.
Littler finished second to Hodgkinson in the main award after his stunning breakthrough year, in which he reached the PDC World Darts Championship final in January at the age of 16.
The 22-year-old won 800-metre gold with a sensational performance at the Pars Olympics
Hodgkinson said she was ‘in shock’ at being presented with the award, becoming the fourth woman in a row to lift it
Luke Littler came second and was named Young Sports Personality of the Year
Joe Root came in third place after becoming England’s record Test run scorer this year
On winning Young Sports Personality of the Year, he said: ‘It shows how well I have done this year. I know how big the sport has got – and it just goes to show how much I have changed it.’
Wigan Warriors became the first rugby league side since St Helens in 2006 to be crowned Team of the Year following their historic season, when they completed the quadruple of the World Club Challenge, Challenge Cup, League Leaders’ Shield and Grand Final.
Mark Cavendish received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Bradley Wiggins after breaking the Tour de France stage wins record. Mondo Duplantis was awarded World Sport of the Year after defending his Olympic pole vault title and breaking his own world record three times this season.