England hero Beth Mead on crutches as favourite for BBC Sports Personality of the Year joins stars on red carpet
BETH MEAD stunned on the red carpet ahead of this evening’s Sports Personality of the Year – despite needing the help of crutches.
As the great and the good of the sporting world descended on MediaCity to celebrate Britain’s achievements in 2022, it was favourite Mead who rocked a green blazer and trouser combination.
©Karwai TangEngland football hero Beth Mead headed to the awards night on crutches[/caption]
GettySnowboard star Aimee Fuller was in attendance at Sports Personality of the Year[/caption]
PAAndrea Spendolini-Sirieix – daughter of Fred Sirieix – has made a career of her own in diving[/caption]
PASam Curran and partner Isabella Symonds Willmott were in party mood after the T20 World Cup heroics[/caption]
PAEngland white-ball captain Jos Buttler arrived with wife Louise[/caption]
PADenise Lewis went for a purple outfit on the red carpet[/caption]
PA2012 runner-up Jessica Ennis-Hill rocked a light blue dress for SPOTY 2022[/caption]
PAGymnast twins Jennifer and Jessica Gadirova arrived together[/caption]
PAMMA star Paddy Pimblett was flanked by partner Laura Gregory[/caption]
The Arsenal and England ace is currently on crutches after rupturing her ACL last month – just like team-mate and partner Vivianne Miedema.
Jill Scott and Ellen White were among the members of the Euros-winning England team in attendance as they supported their pal.
Ahead of the BBC’s showcase celebration, the celebrities strutted their stuff upon arrival.
That included the likes of snowboarder Aimee Fuller, Olympic legend Jessica Ennis-Hill, candidate Eve Muirhead and diver Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix – daughter of First Dates legend Fred Sirieix.
Fellow nominee Jessica Gadirova was flanked by her twin sister Jennifer upon arrival.
Ricky Hatton, Max Whitlock, Stephen Hendry, Rebecca Adlington and Paddy Pimblett were among the first to arrive.
Cricket World Cup winners Sam Curran and skipper Jos Buttler headed along with their partners with Chris Woakes also present.
Six nominees are hoping to land the coveted annual prize, succeeding Emma Raducanu who won the gong 12 months ago.
Mead is the odds-on favourite after helping England win the Euros.
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The Arsenal forward’s six goals and five assists saw her scoop both the Golden Boot and Player of the Tournament awards.
Gymnast Jessica Gadirova, curling’s Muirhead, snooker star Ronnie O’Sullivan, England cricket ace Ben Stokes, and athlete Jake Wightman make up the rest of the elite list.
But golfer Matt Fitzpatrick was controversially overlooked, despite his US Open triumph earlier this year.
The ceremony was pushed back a few days from its usual slot on the Sunday evening before Christmas by the World Cup final.
Fans can watch the 69th year of SPOTY – hosted by Gary Lineker, Clare Balding, Gabby Logan and Alex Scott – on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 6.45pm.
GettyEllen White retired from football after winning the Euros[/caption]
GettyJill Scott did the same and then became Queen of the Jungle[/caption]
GettyArsenal striker Vivianne Miedema is also on crutches at the moment[/caption]
PAFormer rugby league star Rob Burrows was joined by his family[/caption]
Boxer Ricky Hatton popped along to the event in his hometownRex
PAEve Muirhead is one of the six nominees after her curling exploits[/caption]
PAGymnast Max Whitlock and wife Leah Hickton pose on the red carpet[/caption]
PASwimmer Ellie Simmonds opted for a dark green number[/caption]
PAChris Hoy won the event in 2008 following his cycling exploits in Beijing[/caption]
PAStephen Hendry the former snooker star opted for a more casual look[/caption]