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By Saj Chowdhury in Sheffield
From Giles in Ghana, via text: "First year I am not watching this on TV, thank everything for the BBC website "
You touched my heart Giles.
1838: My BBC colleague Marc Vesty has just been in the reception room and has spoken to an excitable Enzo Calzaghe - a former Coach of the Year winner. And he also told me that former Olympic heptathlon champion Denise Lewis is looking lovely in a “sparkly, shimmery dress”.1836: I’ve heard there is a another big TV event on tonight. The Geordie lad will win. Back to Sports Personality.BBC Sport’s Honest Frank on Twitter:](http://twitter.com/honestfrank)As forecast on this very Twitter feed, eight of the 10 shortlisted Sports Personality contenders are in the Sheffield Arena.1830: Thirty minutes to go guys and gals. A colleague has told me that Dame Ellen MacArthur is here - looking very glamorous. She didn’t sail in apparently - which is no massive surprise.BBC Sport’s Honest Frank on Twitter:](http://twitter.com/honestfrank)F1 pundit Eddie Jordan believes Michael Schumacher will return to the grid: "Michael needs Formula 1 more than Formula 1 needs Michael."1827: Tennis commentator supremo Andrew Castle came into the production office a few minutes ago. He looked very dapper in his blue suit. Must get me one of those.BBC Sport’s Honest Frank on Twitter:](http://twitter.com/honestfrank)Back to Michael Johnson who says Usain Bolt will not be stepping up to 400m as has ‘unfinished business’ with the shorter sprints.
1824: The arena’s packed out. The floor manager is asking asking people to cheer - a test the sound of the arena kind of thing. Trust me, the 11,000 in here are loud. Very loud. I’m about 30 metres from the main stage.1821: It’s getting very tense in the production office at the arena. Less than 40 minutes to go. It’s cold in here too, my fingers are numb. Nobody to get me a cuppa.BBC Sport’s Honest Frank on Twitter:](http://twitter.com/honestfrank)Sprinting great Michael Johnson v. smart. Been telling my World Service chums about a chat he had with sprinting great Usain Bolt. More later.
From knowledge_is_good on 606:](http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/F15529126thread=7147593)“Rather disapointed Wiggo (Bradley Wiggins) wasn’t shortlisted for his brilliant Tour de France. But oh well. Should be a good evening.”
He was very close to making the top 10 - but what an effort from Wiggins in France. A future Tour championBBC Sport’s Jake Humphrey on Twitter:](http://twitter.com/Jakehumphreyf1)Which famous person will be playing these… (it’s a pic taken by Jake)
From SuperFalc on 606:](http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/F15529126thread=7147593)“How many more world titles and other major titles does darts player Phil Taylor have to win to be considered for a Lifetime Achievement award”
Now the subject of Phil Taylor has been brought up before in relation to Sports Personality. Why isn’t he in the top 10 The final shortlist is decidedby a range of publications who send in their top 10sLifetime Achievement award Well, who knows.
1804: Sports Personality presenter Jake Humphrey took time out of the busy rehearsal schedule to present a ‘behind the scenes’ film. It gives you an idea of what goes into the making of Sports Personality. My answer to that is: A lot of hard work.Jake goes backstage at SPOTY1802: Here are the contenders: Jenson Button, Mark Cavendish, Tom Daley, Jessica Ennis, Ryan Giggs, David Haye, Phillips Idowu, Andy Murray, Andrew Strauss and Beth Tweddle.
The number to call for each contender will be revealed on the programme after 1900 GMT. There are more details on the terms and conditions of phone voting on theBBC Sports Personality site.
1800: Hello from the ** 2009 BBC Sports Personality of the Year** show at a buzzing Sheffield Arena. You guys and gals have one heck of a treat in store for you - to quote the Black Eyed Peas, “tonight’s gonna be a good night”.
The stars are arriving on the red carpet and the 11,000 lucky ticket holders are filtering into this transformed arena. There are many awards on offer and the event will climax with the naming of this year’s Sports Personality.
You can follow the live coverage from 1900 GMT on BBC One and there will be live streaming of the show on this website.
Technology eh You can also follow the coverage on BBC Radio 5 Live too.
My colleague Frank Keogh will be among the sporting celebrities as they enter the arena -and you can follow him on Twitter.
And finally, yours truly will be backstage to guide you through the night - well, you can’t have everything can you