1900 GMT: Stars arrive at Television Centre ahead of the show, which starts at 2000 GMT.

Paula Radcliffe, looking elegant in black, is the first of the contenders for the main award to walk up the red carpet.

One of the other early arrivals is George Best, with his wife Alex. George will pick up a Lifetime Achievement award later in the evening.

2000 GMT: The studio is packed with celebrities from around the sporting world as the show starts.

2022 GMT: Paula Radcliffe reveals she will run the 2003 London Marathon.

She describes it as her "main goal" in a year in which she will also bid for 10,000m gold in the World Championships in Paris.

Paula Radcliffe, presenting the award, describes Tomlinson, who has terminal cancer, as the "most deserving winner of the night".

For the time being, Arsene Wenger remains firmly in the Highbury hot seat, after winning the Double in 2002.

2154 GMT: England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson calls for an improvement from his team but is confident of qualifying for Euro 2004.

And he dismisses continued rumours that he has been close to walking out on the job.

"I never thought about it. I am extrememly happy and proud," he confirms.

2158 GMT: Former Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy says he is "not chasing" jobs in club football and that he is happy having a "bit of a break" for the time being.

"As you'll know I've had a rough time recently," the former Manchester United man adds, "but I'm still around, although a little thinner than before."

"This is such a big honour and I'd like to thank the public for all their support through the year," Radcliffe says.

David Beckham takes second place with Tony McCoy finishing in third.

The final standings: