MORE than 10 million people are expected to tune into the BBC Sports Personality of the Year tomorrow, with Scots Andy Murray, Sir Chris Hoy and Katherine Grainger in line for the coveted crown in what has been a momentous year for British sport.
For many, it should have been Murray's year to take the title after winning his first Grand Slam at the US Open, becoming the first Brit in 73 years to make the Wimbledon final and taking home an Olympic gold.
But with London 2012 spawning an unrivalled crop of champions, bookmakers are almost certain it won't be Murray's time at the awards ceremony.
Kate Miller, of William Hill, said: "In any other year, it would be a shoe-in for Andy Murray with what he has achieved but, in a year like this, when the achievements have been so amazingly high, it is very difficult to see him winning.
"Everyone on the shortlist bar one has an Olympic gold medal – that is how exceptional the candidates are."
William Hill places Murray as the fourth most likely to win at 12-1 odds with Bradley Wiggins in the lead at 2-7. Mo Farah sits as 13-2 with Jessica Ennis at 7-1.
Over at Paddy Power, Murray is fourth at 16-1 with Wiggins firmly at the front on 3/10.
A spokesman said: "Andy's tremendous year has sadly fallen into a very, very strong year of contenders given the Olympics. Bradley Wiggins has been odds-on favourite to win since he won the Tour de France."
Mr Scott said that Murray had also managed to swing public opinion in his favour, particularly after his emotional runners up speech at Wimbledon. "He has broken through, everyone knows he's a good guy," he said.
Surprisingly, Sir Chris Hoy – Britains' most decorated Olympian ever – sits only at 100/1 to win at William Hill with Wiggins seen as the people's choice.
Rower Katherine Grainger is enjoying a strong campaign to take the prize given she is the only British woman to take gold at four consecutive Olympics.
Murray too has an army of fans fighting his corner. His US Open rival Novak Djokovic said: "Vote for Andy Murray for BBC Sports Personality. I only wish I could vote myself."
THE CONTENDERS:
Golfer Rory McIlroy
Boxer Nicola Adams
Sailor Ben Ainslie
Athlete Jessica Ennis
Runner Mo Farah
Rower Katherine Grainger
Cyclist Sir Chris Hoy
Tennis champ Andy Murray
Swimmer Ellie Simmonds
Cyclist Sarah Storey
Athlete David Weir
Cyclist Bradley Wiggins
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