Before the 2017 BBC Sports Personality of the Year award could be announced on Sunday evening, the formalities had to be addressed as the nominees and guests arrived to the red carpet in their droves.
The SPOTY awards, hosted by the Liverpool Echo Arena, saw 12 of Britain’s best and most successful athletes pipped against each other for the award.
Heading into the annual ceremony, Anthony Joshua – IBF, IBO, WBA world heavyweight champion – and Formula One world champions lead the race for the coveted prize.
Harry Kane’s performances have seen him nominated for the Sports Personality of the Year
England boss Gareth Southgate turned out to support the Premier League striker
Former Olympic gold medalist Rebecca Adlington stunned the photographers in all white
Motorcyclist and nominee Jonathan Rea donned and all black suit at the annual awards
Sir Chris Hoy knows what it feels like to win the award after his triumph in 2008
Adam Peaty retained his 50m and 100m Breaststroke golds at the World Championships
Chris Eubank Jr and Sr (L-R) look the part with the elder of the two holding a Louis Vuitton bag
From the more mainstream sports icons in AJ and Hamilton to the likes of Speed Skating world champion Elise Christie, it was clear the nominations team really had scoured the country for the best possible candidates.
In the absence of nominees Hamilton, Sir Mo Farah and Tour de France winner Chris Froome though, the red carpet was there to be owned by the gathering crowds of celebrities and sporting heroes.
Harry Kane was a familiar name to be announced on the shortlist, looking to become the first footballer to be graced with the award since Ryan Giggs in 2009, and came with some back up.
His England boss Gareth Southgate was pictured on the red carpet, followed by the entire under 19 and 20 World Cup winning squads.
Former Olympic gold medalist and SPOTY nominee Rebecca Adlington made an appearance alongside husband Mark Foster, as they prepared to find out if Adam Peaty could bring the award back to the swimming pool.
The England under 19 and 20 World Cup winning squads were in attendance
Speed Skater Elise Christie is among those looking to upset the odds in her red dress
Paula Radcliffe also wore black, but with a twist as yellow and green trim supported it
Team GB athlete Dina Asher-Smith makes up for the absence of fellow Olympian Sir Mo Farah
Speed Skater, who originally trained as a figure skater before making the switch to speed over flair, Elise Christie will be a name you weren’t aware of before 2017, but following the ceremony, you will do well to forget it.
Her performances at the World Championships in Rotterdam earlier this year saw her leave the chasing pack behind, as she became the first European women to claim gold in both the 1,000m and 1,500m.
The awards were not only host to famous athletes and former icons of sport, though, several TV personalities made appearances in the entrance, with Love Island’s Gabby Allen, who sported one of the more ‘out-there’ outfits with a black lengthy dress, covered in a scene of flowers.
Other on-screen stars included Jorgie Porter, formerly of Hollyoaks and Britain’s favourite jungle bonanza I’m a celebrity Get me out of here, as well as her soap rival Craig Charles – of Coronation Street, of course.
Gabby Allen was one of many TV sensations to be in attendance on the red carpet
Coronation Street’s Craig Charles wore a red neck tie under his stripy shirt in Liverpool
Singer-song writer Rebecca Ferguson was one of many to boast all-black attire