BBC viewers complain minutes into SPOTY awards over huge change

19 December 2023 , 19:39

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BBC viewers complain minutes into SPOTY awards over huge change

BBC viewers complained moments into the Sports Personality of the Year awards tonight over a huge change.

The BBC are airing a special awards show this evening, with some of the coveted awards being given out including World Sport Star of the Year, Helen Rollason Award, Young Sports Personality of the Year, Unsung Hero as well as Coach of the Year, Team of the Year and Lifetime Achievement award. The big one - Sports Personality of the Year - will be given out this evening after a public vote.

Cricketer Stuart Broad, horse racing legend Frankie Dettori and England's goalkeeper Mary Earps will go against wheelchair tennis star Alfie Hewett, athletics star Katarina Johnson-Thompson and golfer Rory Mcllroy for the coveted prize.

Fans were quick to make their feelings clear

As the show kicked off tonight, fans took to social media to fume over the change. This year, the awards are airing on a Tuesday evening but in the past, they have aired on a Sunday evening on the BBC.

"Still battling to get used to #SPOTY on a Tuesday," one fan wrote, whilst a second added: "Remember when #spoty used to be good…on a Sunday night, a celebration of @BBCSport." Other viewers were puzzled by the beginning sequence, and why there was a performance from Pete Tong, who performed Fatboy Slim’s Right Here, Right Now whilst a sports montage was shown.

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Another viewer shared: "Three minutes into #spoty and it's focused on pop music already," with a fourth writing: "Are we meant to know who the #DJ is on #SPOTY ? I haven't a clue!" A fifth added: "Wednesday night #SPOTY just isn't as good as Sunday night."

Some fans were puzzled on why there were four presenters, as Gabby Logan, Alex Scott, Gary Lineker and Clare Balding all took to the stage ahead of the big awards show, which will air for two hours this evening.

BBC viewers were quick to complain minutes into the Sports Personality of the Year Awards tonight after spotting a huge change

"Do they really need 4 presenters? #SPOTY," one wrote, with another adding: "Does #Spoty really need four presenters? I seem to remember Des Lynam hosting the whole thing himself." A third shared: "4 x highly paid presenters? Ffs the #bbc are just #trolling us now... #SPOTY," with a fourth writing: "And they need 4 presenters because? #spoty."

Tonight, the six sports stars will go head to head to be crowned Sports Personality of the Year at the glittering ceremony, which is being shown on BBC One this evening, streamed live from Manchester.

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Jasmine Allday