ANDY Murray is on course to become BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
The Scots world number four tennis player was immediately installed as the 28-1 favourite by bookmakers to win the prize after being nominated by viewers.
Murray, who beat Novak Djokovic to become the first British winner of the Wimbledon men's singles title since Fred Perry in 1936, hopes to join the roll of honour at the televised prize-giving on December 15.
Dunblane-born Murray, who won the US Open and an Olympic gold medal in 2012, finished third in last year's awards, at which cyclist Sir Bradley Wiggins triumphed.
The 26-year-old was feted by Prime Minister David Cameron at Downing Street following his Wimbledon success and is due to receive the freedom of the City of Stirling in April next year.
He is hoping to become the fourth tennis player, and the first since Greg Rusedski in 1997, to collect the award.
He faces competition from this year's Tour de France winner Chris Froome, Wales and British Lions rugby player Leigh Halfpenny, US Open-winning golfer Justin Rose and record-breaking jockey AP McCoy. Also on the shortlist are yachtsman Sir Ben Ainslie, who helped co-ordinate Team USA's America's Cup comeback to win; England cricketer Ian Bell, 400 metres world title holder Christine Ohuruogu and fellow runner Hannah Cockcroft, who successfully defended her 100m and 200m titles at the world championships in Lyon.
Mo Farah, who won both the 5000m and 10,000m world titles in Moscow, as well as breaking Steve Cram's 28-year-old British 1500m record, completes the list.
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