BBC Sports Personality of the Year plans scaled back over Covid fears

The BBC are keen to do everything possible to limit the risk of infection at the annual ceremony

The BBC is scaling back its plans for the Sports Personality of the Year ceremony in response to the threat posed by the omicron variant of Covid-19.

It is understood the corporation’s plans to reduce the size of the audience for the event at Salford’s Media City on 19 December to those considered most essential to the show’s production, while the traditional after-show party has also been cancelled.

The BBC are keen to do everything possible to limit the risk of infection on site.

There are concerns the omicron variant is more transmissible than the delta variant, and it is expected to become the dominant strain in the UK and worldwide.

The UK Government enacted ‘Plan B’ measures earlier this week which included advice for people in England to work from home where possible and for certain venues – including sports stadia holding more than 10,000 – to require spectators to provide proof of full vaccination or a recent negative Covid test.

The shortlist for the awards is expected to be confirmed early next week, with US Open champion Emma Raducanu the odds-on bookmakers’ favourite.