[Steve N]

I see on the news that Darren Clarke has found new love just four months after losing his wife.
Good luck to him.

Knowing how fickle the public are, I wonder if this will affect his chances of winning the BBC Sports Personality of the year.
Much as I respect Darren Clarke, it struck me as peculiar that his recent bereavement should suddenly increase his merit as a sports personality.

Edited - Decided ps comment was in poor taste.

[CFC1]

Originally Posted by Steve N

...PS Darren, make sure your new love has two legs, and isn't called Heather

Not a chance... his wife was called Heather.

[RMCF]

Re: Sports Personality of the Year.


Isn't it time this was done away with?

Watched about 30mins of it and its a load of nonsense. Why interview Steve McLaren about the WC2006? Do the Beeb really have to hire out the NEC to ask him questions that he is asked after every England game?

As for the candidates - got to be the worst year ever. Darren Clarke is the fav, but probably because of his wife dying. And I say that as a fellow Irish man - did he really do anything of a sporting manner any better than the rest of the Ryder Cup team?

And there are names on the list I don't even know!! That cyclist and gymnast. And Zara Philips - what exactly did she do this year? And Button - becuase he won a race or two. And Phil Taylor - can't see them giving it to a fat bloke who plays darts.

Just an excuse for 5000 'famous' people to go on the **** if you ask me and pat each other on the back.

[markymark34]

Sports personality is a bit rubbish now. As a teenager it was the start of the xmas holis for me but have a look at the people in the top 10 this year!!
Jenson button??? 1 race win!
Andy Murray - world no 17?

Hopefully clarke gets it as the rider cup was excellent!

[MrFurious]

was a total letdown for me, theo walcott young personality!!!! he hasnt done anything yet.

and the royal chick winning!!

i thought joe should of won it myself

[RMCF]

Zara Philisp - what exactly did she do this year?

Except live a life of luxury of course?

[KevD]

Originally Posted by RMCF

Zara Philisp - what exactly did she do this year?

Except live a life of luxury of course?

erm, World Champion . I dont know, maybe you dont appreciate the sport but she is the very best in it, and also reigning european champion.

It is a very competitive sport and to come out on top in two championships is a great achievement.

Joe Calzaghe has had two fights this year, and while the Lacey win was sensational, his other fight was an unconvincing points win over an average opponent. Ricky Hatton only had the one fight, a first round KO

I agree with markymark that Button and Murray had no chance, I'm a big Panesar fan but he hadnt done enough.

While Darren Clarke was my favourite sportsperson out if the list, he himself wasnt sure he deserved to be up there.

Well done Zara

The thing that dissapoint me about these awards is a distinct lack of "personalities"

[Moviebuff]

Originally Posted by KevD

The thing that dissapoint me about these awards is a distinct lack of "personalities"

You don't need a personality to win it - Nigel Mansell is a fine example!

[CFC1]

Didn't Steve "interesting" Davis win it in the 80's?

[KevD]

Originally Posted by Moviebuff

You don't need a personality to win it - Nigel Mansell is a fine example!

Kinda my point, I didnt mean this years in particular.

Faldo, Rudsedski, Lewis, Hill & Owen to go with those mentioned. Whatever happended to the Bothams & Daleys.

I suppose sport has become a liitle too serious

[dc007]

It's becoming pretty obvious that in order to win the BBC awards, your sport has to be shown on the BBC.

The Ryder Cup team missed out to St Helens as the Beeb is big on Rugby League and didn't have Ryder coverage.

Calzaghe was nowhere... Where were his fights televised ?

Phil Taylor never got a look in over the years. His darts organisation is not on BBC.

I believe that a few years back the Angling Times used to encourage its (millions of) readers to vote for Bob Nudd, multiple World Angling Champion, and every year he would gather the most votes by a mile, but the Beeb would veto them all.

I know there's the counter-arguement that Beeb viewers naturally vote for Beeb programmes...

[markymark34]

Originally Posted by Moviebuff

You don't need a personality to win it - Nigel Mansell is a fine example!

The only difference is that most people know what mansell or Hill or steve Davis look like. If Zara philips was sitting next to me i wouldnt have known who she was before sun.

Her speech was the worst ever!

[Moviebuff]

Originally Posted by markymark34

The only difference is that most people know what mansell or Hill or steve Davis look like. If Zara philips was sitting next to me i wouldnt have known who she was before sun.

Well, at least she's better looking than Mansell, Hill or Davis!

[Moviebuff]

Originally Posted by markymark34

Her speech was the worst ever!

Agreed - it was bloody dreadful!