The BBC has responded to the latest Covid-19 restrictions by drastically reducing their audience numbers for their Sports Personality of the Year show on December 19.
A decision had already been taken to cancel the traditional after-show party. The government announcement this week for an increase in safety measures has prompted BBC Sport bosses to limit the audience to guests essential to the show.
The intention was to have more than 500 studio guests in Salford, which is usually populated by the great and the good of British sport. Now, however, the number of attendees will be fewer than 50, with the focus on those on the award shortlists. The BBC has started to notify invited guests that they will no longer be able to come.
It means it will be much like last year’s show, which was attended by stars such as Marcus Rashford and Jordan Henderson but few others in an effort to protect them from possible infection.
When approached by The Times today, a BBC spokesman said: “The health and safety of those attending BBC Sports Personality of the Year is always our primary concern. Following the announcement from the UK government that new coronavirus measures are to be introduced in England, we’ve taken the decision not to have a studio audience at this year’s event. The show will go ahead with essential staff and contributors and we will of course follow all government and industry guidance.”
