Luke Littler replaced by Olympian as bookies favourite for BBC Sports Personality of the Year

Luke Littler has had a sparkling year in 2024, emerging as a force to be reckoned with on the darting scene and transcending into the wider British consciousness with his story and performances. For much of the year, 'The Nuke' has also been favourite to claim the prestigious BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, but now, with the reveal of the winner less than a month away, a new name heads the list of bookies favourites.

For those who don't know, The BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award (SPOTY) is an annual accolade celebrating the UK’s finest sporting achievements in a calendar year. While darts is a popular sport in the UK, it has rarely featured prominently in SPOTY. Phil Taylor, came close to winning in 2010, finishing runner-up. Despite this, no darts player has ever won the award to date.

As mentioned, straight from his run to the final of the World Darts Championship as a 16-year-old at the beginning of this year, Littler has been touted at the favourite for the award this year. Now though, a new name has emerged from the pack in the form of Team GB's gold medal winning Olympian, Keely Hodgkinson. The 22-year-old took gold in the 800m has recently surged past Littler in the list of favourites to take the award in 2024.

William Hill spokesman Lee Phelps explained: "The BBC have confirmed the 2024 Sports Personality of the Year award will be presented on Tuesday 17th December, and Keely Hodgkinson has extended her lead as we head into the final lap," in quotes collected by the Express. "With three weeks to go, we make Hodgkinson a heavy 1/4 favourite, streets ahead of nearest challenger Luke Littler, who appears to be running out of time to topple the Team GB hero. Mark Cavendish, Ben Ainslie, Joe Root and even Lando Norris have been in with a shout previously, but the path now appears clear for Keely's coronation next month."