In 2004, Olympic champion cyclists Chris Hoy and Bradley Wiggins were sat at in cheap seat watching BBC Sports Personality of the Year arching their necks to get a look at the winners.

While 10 minutes were dedicated to the deceased race horse Red Rum, the Olympians were not afforded a single mention all evening. In a recent interview Wiggins said it was pretty depressing to mean less to the British public than a dead horse. Who can blame him?

Last year, Joe Calzaghe was a worthy winner of sports personality of the year but all too ofton bores - like Michael Owen or Jonathan Edwards - have picked up this coveted prize. So I was glad to hear that this year Wiggins and team-mate Hoy have VIP tickets and will surely be among the nominees for this year's accolade.

I think we all applauded Joey Barton criticism of England's players' decision to bring out books following the 2006 World Cup. "I played like ***. Here's my book.' Who wants to read that?", he said. And even as a lifelong Chelsea fan I have to say that Didier Drogba's upcoming autobiography will not be on the Christmas wish list. But I hope the upcoming book by Wiggins - who having won Gold in Athens went on a 9 month bender - proves a rare exception.

So, here's hoping this year's prize goes to a true character. Before the Beeb unveils its nominations for this year's main award, here's how I think it should go...

BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2008

Chris Hoy (triple Beijing Olympic cycling gold medallist and world champion)

Bradley Wiggins (doulble Beijing Olympic cycling gold medallist and world champion)

Rebeccah Adlington (double Gold medal winning Olympic swimmer)

Lewis Hamilton (assuming he wins the Formula 1 driver's championship)

Shane Williams (inspirational in Wales' historic Grand Slam and nominated for IRB Player of the Year)

Ben Ainslie (record breaking sailing Gold medallist)

Andy Murray (US Open finalist)

Kevin Pietersen (England cricket captain)

Christina Ohuruogu (Gold medal winning athlete)

Who would you nominate?