SPOTY shortlist confirmed: Raheem Sterling, Lewis Hamilton and Ben Stokes all make the cut

The BBC Sports Personality of the Year (SPOTY) candidates were revealed throughout Monday ahead of voting on December 15.

Running since 1954, the SPOTY honours Great Britain’s best sportspersons of that calendar year.

Welsh cyclist Geraint Thomas came out on top in 2018 ahead of F1 star Lewis Hamilton and Tottenham striker Harry Kane.

But this year is expected to be even more closely contested.

The public voting will open when the show takes place in Aberdeen in three weeks, broadcast live on the BBC.

So who are the six candidates for the gong in 2019?

Ben Stokes

Stokes was the first star nominated for SPOTY and his nomination is richly deserved for his heroic efforts in helping England win the Cricket World Cup.

The 28-year-old all-rounder topped off a remarkable year with a match-winning performance in the World Cup final super-over victory over New Zealand.

He also hit an unbeaten 135 in the one-wicket third Ashes Test triumph against Australia at Headingley.

Pop singer Ed Sheehan announced Stokes’ nomination in a video released on the BBC Radio 1 Greg James Breakfast Show.

Dina Asher-Smith

After Stokes was unveiled, 23-year-old Asher-Smith was named the second person competing for the award.

She became the first British woman to win a major global sprint when he stormed to victory at the 200m at the World Championships in Doha in October.

Asher-Smith also won the 100m and 4x100m silver, becoming the first athlete since 1964 to win three medals at the same global championships.

She also won the Diamond League final over 100m.

Rapper Stormzy revealed Asher-Smith’s nomination in a video played on BBC Breakfast.

Raheem Sterling

Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling became the third sportsperson on the SPOTY shortlist after being instrumental in his side winning the domestic treble last season.

The forward was named the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year and the Professional Footballers’ Association Young Player of the Year. He is also on the 30-man shortlist for the Ballon d’Or.

Sterling has also been prised for his public stance on racism.

The England international’s nomination was revealed on BBC Radio 1Xtra Yasmin Evans Show in a video message from Ellen White.

Alun Wyn Jones

Wales rugby hero Alun Wyn Jones was the fourth nominee for Sports Personality of the Year 2019.

Jones captained Wales to a Grand Slam earlier this year, and was named the Six Nations’ player of the championship.

During this year’s Rugby World Cup, he became Wales most-capped player of all time.

He’s now only behind New Zealand’s Richie McCaw for all-time international appearances.

Lewis Hamilton

Formula One star Lewis Hamilton then became the fifth sportsperson to be added to the candidates list.

Hamilton had another superb campaign in F1 this season, having won his sixth world title with a number of races to spare.

The Brit is now just one championship behind Michael Schumacher’s all-time record, and who would bet against him equaling the record next year?

Katarina Johnson-Thompson

The sixth and final nominee was announced as athlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson.

The heptathlete won Gold at this year’s World Athletics Championships, as the 26-year-old continues her meteoric rise.

She set four personal bests during the competition, and she even surpassed Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill’s British record with her heptathlon points tally.