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Real Madrid and Wales star Gareth Bale leads the nominees for BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

The £85million most expensive footballer in the world is one of the 10 shortlisted contenders for the award, put together by an expert panel of sports specialists and announced on The One Show by 2012 winner Sir Bradley Wiggins.

Bale, 25, led the Spanish giants to the European Cup in May and his performances have played a major role in Wales' unbeaten start to Euro 2016 qualifying.

Despite Bale's achievements however, the favourite with bookmakers to win the award is golf ace Rory McIlroy.

(Image: Getty)

The Northern Irishman has claimed two major wins in 2014 - winning both The Open and the PGA Championship - while he also ranked No.1 on the PGA Tour Money list.

Additionally, McIlroy played his part as Europe beat the United States to retain the Ryder Cup.

Lewis Hamilton is also nominated, having won a second Formula 1 World Championship.

The 29-year-old won 11 of the 19 races on the F1 calendar to take the trophy, ending the season 67 points ahead of his Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg as the Brackley-based team dominated.

(Image: PA)

Boxer Carl Froch, who retained his WBA and IBF super-middleweight titles with victory over George Groves at Wembley in May is nominated, along with 10,000metre European Champion Jo Pavey, Winter Olympics gold medallist Lizzy Yarnold and triple Commonwealth Games gold medallist Max Whitlock.

Charlotte Dujardin, who took two golds and a silver medal at the World Equestrian Games this year, is included, as is Kelly Gallagher, who won Britain's first ever Winter Paralympic gold medal at Sochi, alongside guide Charotte Evans.

Swimmer Adam Peaty, the 19-year-old who claimed four gold medals at the European Championships in Berlin and two golds and a silver at the Commonwealth Games, rounds off the nominees.

The nominees for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2014:

Gareth Bale - Football

Charlotte Dujardin - Dressage

Carl Froch – Boxing

Kelly Gallagher and guide Charlotte Evans - Skiing

Lewis Hamilton – Formula 1

Rory McIlroy - Golf

Jo Pavey - Athletics

Adam Peaty - Swimming

Max Whitlock - Gymnastics

Lizzy Yarnold – Skeleton

The 10 shortlisted contenders will now compete for the public vote on the night of the live show, which is presented by Gary Lineker, Clare Balding and Gabby Logan on BBC One, Sunday 14 December. This year the show comes from the SSE Hydro Arena in Glasgow with further tickets for the event now released.

(Image: PA)

Voting for the main award will be from a shortlist of 10 contenders presented during the live show. Voting will be available by phone or online. The number to call for each contender will be revealed during the programme. There is no voting via email, Red Button or by text. For further information go to bbc.co.uk/sportspersonality.

In addition to the main award of Sports Personality of the Year there will also be awards for:

Team of the Year

Coach of the Year

Overseas Sports Personality of the Year

Young Sports Personality of the Year

Sports Personality of the Year Lifetime Award

Helen Rollason Award

BBC Get Inspired Unsung Hero Award

Tickets for BBC Sports Personality in Glasgow can be purchased online a twww.thessehydro.com, by calling the ticket hotline on 0844 395 4000 (Monday-Saturday 9am-6pm) or in person from the main box office in the SECC.

The ticket office is open Monday to Saturday 9am–6pm. Calls cost up to 5p/min from most landlines (an additional connection fee may also apply). Calls from mobiles may cost considerably more.

Tickets are priced at £45, £55 and £60 and will be subject to a 10% service charge with a limit of four per person. Children under 16 (minimum age 10 years) must be accompanied by an adult.