Jonathan Rea nominated for BBC Sports Personality of the Year

Three-time World Superbike Champion Jonathan Rea has been confirmed as a contender for the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year for 2017.

Announced by Gabby Logan on this evening’s ‘The One Show’, Rea will go up against the likes of Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton, boxer Anthony Joshua and tennis’ Johanna Konta in the vote on Sunday 17^th December.

The news will be widely welcomed by the motorcycle community with Rea the first motorcycle racer to be nominated for the award in ten years, the last being James Toseland when he won his second world championship in 2007. A petition calling for Rea’s achievements to be recognised by the BBC hit 10,000 signatures earlier this month. 

Rea, who collected an MBE from Prince William earlier this week, made history this year as he became the first person ever to win three consecutive World Superbike titles, shattering the record for all-time points in a season in the process.

“I’m very excited to be included in the nominations for such a prestigious event and it really is the icing on the cake after a great year in Superbike,” Rea said after the nomination.

“Right now, I feel like I’m in a dream, and I never imagined I would have won three World Championships in a row. I’m very happy to represent my sport as it’s been a decade since a motorcyclist has been nominated so to be recognised with all other mainstream sports is something I’m so proud of.  As a fan of sport, I’ve grown up watching SPOTY on television and now to be nominated for the main award is pretty awesome!  I’m excited to share the room with so many sporting greats and celebrate a fantastic year of sporting success in the UK”.

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The awards ceremony will take place at Liverpool’s Echo Arena on Sunday 17^th December, broadcast live on BBC One with viewers getting the opportunity to vote by phone and online during the show.

Last year saw Wimbledon champion Andy Murray crowned Sports Personality of the Year for a record third time.

The shortlist is chosen by a panel of industry experts, including World Cup winning rugby union player Maggie Alphonsi, Olympic gold medallist Darren Campbell and Paralympic gold winner Danny Crates.

They sat alongside sports broadcasters Colin Murray and Eleanor Oldroyd, as well as Dame Katherine Grainger, Chair of UK Sport.

Also on the panel for 2017 were Dominic Hart from the Daily Mirror, The Times’ Alyson Rudd and Laura Williamson from the Daily Mail as well as a number of representatives from the BBC.

2017 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Nominees

• Elise Christie (Speed skating)
• Mo Farah (Athletics)
• Chris Froome (Cycling)
• Lewis Hamilton (Formula 1)
• Anthony Joshua (Boxing)
• Harry Kane (Football)
• Johanna Konta (Tennis)
• Jonnie Peacock (Para-athletics)
• Adam Peaty (Swimming)
• Jonathan Rea (Motorcycling)
• Anya Shrubsole (Cricket)
• Bianca Walkden (Taekwondo)

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