World champions shunned as Giggs picks up BBC award

THERE are very few things in life that would lead me to watch the over-the-top naming ceremony of this year's Christmas Number One on The X-Factor.

MANXMAN: British cyclist Mark Cavendish finished fourth in BBC Sports Personality of the Year with Ryan Giggs a surprise winner (Getty Images)

Do I enjoy seeing two Irish twins prancing around a stage to the overhwelming boos of a crazed audience? No. Do I enjoy seeing Cheryl Cole crying? No. Do I enjoy seeing Simon Cowell making other people cry? Maybe.

But one thing I never thought would drive me to tune in to Sunday night's X-Factor finale was a celebration of this year's abundant British sporting success.

It wasn't all bad on the night.

I was happy to applaud as 15-year world diving champion Tom Daley collected the Young Personality award. I jumped with joy at 100 and 200m world champion Usain Bolt's Overseas Personality prize. And I won't deny having a tear in my eye at Seve Ballesteros's lifetime achievement award.

But the succession of the final award, the Sports Personality of the Year, from triple Olympic gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy to Ryan Giggs gave me no option but to stage my own private rebellion and switch to ITV.

Of course, I didn't vote myself and have pretty much no foot to stand on arguing against a completely public poll. But even if I had voted, would it have made much difference against the host of Red Devils fans calling up from London eager to see their man take home the glory?

Perhaps that's being harsh on Giggsy - a guy I've got no qualms in calling a football legend and would be happy to see receive the lifetime achievement award.

But the Welshman admitted he was shocked to win the award and frankly, it's because his achievements this year just don't measure up to the rest of the group.

HARD DONE BY: Heptathlete Jessica Ennis bounced back from Olympic heartbrake to win world gold in Berlin - but only came third in the Sports Personality of the Year

Six of the others became the best in the world, two became the most successful Brits ever and, well, Andrew Strauss was also nominated.

And it hasn't just been about reaching the top for most of them, it's been about slaying demons.

So perhaps it's because I've been writing about the various successes of the likes of Tweddle, Murray, Ennis, Idowu and Cavendish all year, but as a fan of British sport I couldn't help but feel cheated.

Still, compared to the other big 'winner' on the night - Joe McElderry, as if you didn't know - I'd take Giggsy every time.