BBC Sports Personality Of The Year 2007

Sunday 9 December @ 7.00pm on BBC ONE

The biggest names in the world of sport will gather at Birmingham's NEC on Sunday 9 December to hear who the public has voted BBC Sports Personality Of The Year.

As the nation waits to discover who has carried off one of sport's most glittering prizes, Zara Phillips, who was named 2006 BBC Sports Personality Of The Year, tells Programme Information what winning the title meant for her.

The award followed a thrilling year for Zara, during which she won individual gold at the World Equestrian Games held in Aachen, Germany.

Her Majesty The Queen's grand-daughter produced a near-faultless display in the three-day eventing competition, which is made up of dressage, cross country and show jumping.

Zara was surprised that she had even been nominated for the award.

"I had not expected to be nominated because equestrianism is a minor sport," she explains. "I didn't think people would have been aware of what I had achieved."

Shock

And her surprise turned to shock, when she found out she had won.

"When I heard my name called out I was totally shocked. I really wasn't expecting to win. I thought the award would go to someone from a more high-profile sport. Equestrianism really doesn't get much recognition and so this has been really nice for us."

Although obviously used to success, Zara was still overjoyed that the public chose her.

"When I compete and win, it is totally down to me and my horse. However, what was so nice about being awarded Sports Personality Of The Year was that it was completely down to the public's vote."

In 1971, 35 years earlier, Zara's mother, HRH The Princess Royal, also received the award. And, alongside Zara's other family and friends, she was watching when her daughter followed suit last year.

"They all watched me on the television and when I won, they were really proud and happy for me. In fact, they had expected me to win but I was really surprised," she reveals.

BBC Sports Personality Of The Year took on a new look last year when it moved to the NEC in Birmingham. Members of the public attended the event for the first time in its history, something which Zara enjoyed.

"Having the public there was really great. It gave the night a really good atmosphere and there was so much going on, like Beth Tweddle's gymnastic display," she comments.

Surge

Equestrianism has seen a surge in popularity recently, quite possibly as a result of Zara's success.

"I do hope the sport is becoming more popular," she says. "Certainly, people's awareness seems to have grown since last year, which of course is good. I just hope it stays that way."

Since her win last December, it's been business as usual for Zara.

"Nothing has really changed for me," she declares. "Usually, I compete every weekend until the season finishes in late October. I took some time out in November and now I'm beginning my preparation for the new season."

Tonight, however, she hopes to take a break from her training to join the sporting greats at Birmingham's NEC, and hand over her award to the BBC Sports Personality Of The Year 2007