Gary Lineker mistakenly calls Ben Stokes BBC Sports Personality of the Year 'main award winner' before vote

LIVE: BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards

Error: Gary Lineker at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award ceremony in Aberdeen

George Flood15 December 2019

Host Gary Lineker mistakenly appeared to refer to Ben Stokes as the winner of the 2019 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award before the public vote had opened on Sunday night.

The Match of the Day presenter referred to Stokes as the "main award winner" while introducing members of England's Cricket World Cup-winning team during the ceremony at P&J Live in Aberdeen.

Lineker quickly noticed and corrected his error, clarifying that he meant to refer to the Durham all-rounder as a "main event contender".

Stokes is the overwhelming favourite to scoop the prestigious honour after his heroic performances in the World Cup Final win over New Zealand and third Ashes Test against Australia at Headingley.

The winner will not be revealed until approximately 9pm GMT, after the results of the public vote.

Competing with Stokes for the award are Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton, Manchester City and England footballer Raheem Sterling, athletics world champions Dina Asher-Smith and Katarina Johnson-Thompson and Wales' Six Nations Grand Slam-winning rugby union captain Alun Wyn Jones.