Beth Mead helped inspire the Lionesses to their European Championship triumph (Picture: Getty)
England star Beth Mead leads the six nominees for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.
The Arsenal forward won the Golden Boot for leading scorer and was named player of the tournament during England’s Euro 2022 victory in the summer.
Mead is joined on the shortlist by England cricket captain Ben Stokes, snooker star Ronnie O’Sullivan, gymnast Jessica Gadirova, curler Eve Muirhead and runner Jake Wightman.
The winner will be announced during the live show on BBC One on Wednesday.
Mead, who last week signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal shortly after suffering a serious knee injury, scored six goals and registered five assists as she helped inspire Sarina Weigman’s side to a landmark triumph.
‘It was a proud moment for me and a surreal moment, walking out of that tunnel and going to play football in front of a home crowd,” Mead said of the final played in front of a record 87,192 crowd.
‘The day in general, the noise in general, the atmosphere was honestly something I’ll never feel or experience again.’
Stokes, meanwhile, has been responsible for the total transformation of England’s Test team which has enjoyed an astonishing record breaking year, culminating in an historic series win in Pakistan, completed in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
BBC SPOTY NOMINEES
Beth Mead – England footballer
Ben Stokes – England Test cricket captain
Ronnie O’Sullivan – World snooker champion
Eve Muirhead – Team GB Winter Olympics gold medalist
Jake Wightman – World 1,500m champion
Jessica Gadirova – Gymnastics world champion
‘If I had to pinpoint everyone I would be here for a while as everyone has stood up at some point and delivered some kind of match-winning performance,’ said Stokes, reflecting on a crushing eight-wicket victory.
‘But Harry Brook has been unbelievable this series, scoring the amount of runs and the way he has done it is a serious treat to watch. The calmness he has at such a young age is class.
‘We knew what cricket means to Pakistan and what it meant for us to be here. The support we have had not just from our amazing Barmy Army throughout the three games has been incredible.’
More to follow…
England Test cricket captain Ben Stokes and snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan are also in the running.
