AND THE SPOTY NOMINEES ARE...

LIZZIE ARMITSTEAD AGE: 27 SPORT: Cycling Became world road race champion, winning the 80-mile race by a wheel.

LUCY BRONZE AGE 24 SPORT Football Starred in England’s run to the World Cup semifinals and subsequent third-placed finish.

JESSICA ENNIS-HILL AGE 29 SPORT Athletics Won her second world heptathlon title just 13 months after giving birth.

MO FARAH AGE 32 SPORT Athletics Became the first man to win two athletics event — 5,000 and 10,000m — at two World Championships and an Olympics.

CHRIS FROOME AGE 30 SPORT Cycling Claimed his second Tour de France title in three years — despite being spat at and having urine thrown over him.

TYSON FURY AGE 27 SPORT Boxing Pulled off one of boxing’s greatest upsets by defeating Wladimir Klitschko to become world heavyweight champion.

LEWIS HAMILTON AGE 30 SPORT Formula One Won his third F1 championship, becoming the second Brit to do so after Sir Jackie Stewart.

ANDY MURRAY AGE 28 SPORT Tennis Won all 11 of his Davis Cup matches as Great Britain lifted the trophy for the first time in 79 years.

ADAM PEATY AGE 20 SPORT Swimming Became the first ever Brit to win three gold medals at a single World Championships.

GREG RUTHERFORD

AGE 29 SPORT Athletics The long-jumper became the fifth Brit to hold the World Championship, European Championship, Commonwealth and Olympics titles simultaneously.

KEVIN SINFIELD AGE 35 SPORT Rugby League Finished his 18-year League career by helping Leeds Rhinos to a Grand Final victory against Wigan.

MAX WHITLOCK AGE 22 SPORT Gymnastics Became the first British man to win gold at the World Gymnastics Championships.