11/12/2006
NEWS STORY
In a year in which, for the most part, British, certainly English, sport has largely failed to make its mark, the BBC clearly had great difficulty coming up with ten finalists for its annual sports personality of the year award.
The inclusion of Jenson Button was greeted by many with shock, considering that the Honda driver was never in a position to challenge for the championship. However, his maiden F1 win (Hungary) was enough to see him make it through to the last ten contenders in a year in which not a single footballer, cricketer or rugby player made it to the shortlist.
In addition to Button, other nominees included golfer Darren Clarke, gymnast Beth Tweddle and darts world champion Phil Taylor.
On the night, the Englishman lost out, with World equestrian champion Zara Phillips, granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth, winning the award, thereby emulating her mother, Princess Anne, who won in 1971.
The overseas personality went to tennis star Roger Federer, with Fernando Alonso not getting a look in, while Michael Schumacher, once again paid the price for not "buddying up" to the British media.
Theo Walcott, a surprise, not to say shock, inclusion in England's World Cup squad, was named young sports personality of the year, even though he has started just two Premiership matches this season. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton, who enters F1 next season, having thrilled race fans with his fans in GP2 this year, was totally overlooked.
One award that was totally justified - though he was never in line for the main prize - was the special award given to comedian David Walliams in recognition of swimming the English Channel, in near record time, for charity.
The Little Britain star, famous for his "I'm a laydee" catchphrase - among others - spent a year training for the swimming marathon, which he undertook in order to raise in excess of £1m for Sport Relief.
Against all the odds, and despite the criticism he would have suffered had he failed, Walliams achieved his task, in near record time. An extraordinary achievement, and fully deserving of recognition.