Sports personality of the year shortlist revealed

The shortlist of people who could receive the 2014 BBC Sports personality of the Year award have now been announced.

1. Gareth Bale

Aged 25, Bale is the first footballer to be shortlisted since Ryan Giggs won in 2009.

“To win those trophies in my first season at Real Madrid was a dream come true."

The football star scored 22 goals for his team this year, and turned down an £85m contract to boot.

2. Charlotte Dujardin

Aged 29, Dujardin is the first British equestrian rider to win first-place Olympic, World and European championship titles at the same time.

"After London I didn't think it could get much better. I just couldn't have asked for any more."

The dressage star could join the royal ranks of the only two other riders to be voted Sports personality: Princess Anne and her daughter Zara Phillips.

3. Carl Froch

Aged 37, Froch knocked out his biggest rival George Groves with a now world-famous punch seen in the flesh by a record-breaking 80,000 fans at Wembley stadium.

"I've got ingredients you can't teach, ingredients you're born with."

The last time a boxer won the award was in 2007 when Joe Calzaghe took home the trophy

4. Kelly Gallagher and Charlotte Evan

Aged 29 and 23, Gallagher and her guide Evans won the visually impaired Super-G in Sochi as the first UK alpine ski competitors to score a Winter Paralympics gold medal.

Gallagher said: "I can't understate how hard it has been. It's been horrible at times. It's so nice to get a good reward for the work we have put in."

Bluetooth headsets might just be one of the secrets to their success: the women communicate with each other as they fly down slopes at 100km/h speeds.

5. Lewis Hamilton

Aged 29, Hamilton is now the first British Formula One driver to win two consecutive world titles.

"It has been an incredible year. It feels like an out-of-body experience."

Back in 2008 the racing star ranked second on a Sports personality Poll, with Olympic cyclist Sir Chris Hoy pipping him to the post.

6. Rory McIlroy

Aged 25, McIlroy won two major golfing titles in the last year alone.

"To win my second major this year and a fourth by the age of 25, it's just incredible."

It has been decades since a golfer won this award. Sir Nick Faldo received it in 1989 and Dai Rees also won back in 1957.

7. Jo Pavey

Aged 41, Pavey wowed athletics audiences worldwide when she became the oldest-ever female European champion by winning gold at the European Championships in Zurich.

"I've definitely surprised myself. I didn't expect to win any medals - I was breastfeeding at the start of April."

Track stars have a strong history at these awards, with an astounding 17 winners overall.

8. Adam Peaty

Aged 19, Peaty proved himself a swimming champion six times over this year, winning twice at the Commonwealth Games and four times at the Europeans.

"I felt absolutely amazing (breaking the world record). I looked at the scoreboard about five times before I knew I had broken it."

A swimmer in the form of Anita Lonsbrough was the first ever female Sports Personality winner, receiving the trophy back in 1962.

9. Matt Whitlock

Aged 21, Whitlock won a slew of prestigious awards in gymnastics this year, including the silver medal at the World Championship held in Nanning, China.

"It's been a tough year with three major championships, but it's also been amazing and every success just makes me more motivated."

If he wins Sports Personality, Whitlock will be the first gymnast to do so in history.

10. Lizzy Yarnold

Aged 26, Yarnold won Britain's only gold medal during the 2014 Winter Olympics, scoring big at the women's skeleton event.

"I'm just so chuffed I'm Olympic champion. As an athlete you do so much hard work, but it's worth it for days like this."

The last Winter Olympians to win the award were skating duo Torvill and Dean back in 1984.