BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2015 shortlist: Andy Murray, Tyson Fury and Jessica Ennis-Hill shortlisted for award

Last year's winner Lewis Hamilton is nominated again

(Getty Images)

The BBC has revealed this year's Sports Personality of the Year shortlist, which includes 12 sporting greats rather than the usual 10.

The prestigious award, last year won by Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton, will be decided by public vote, with the winner to be announced at a gala event in The SSE Arena, Belfast, on Sunday, 20 December.

Gary Lineker, Clare Balding and Gabby Logan will present the award to the winner in a live event to be screened on BBC One.

The panel, which met earlier this month, decided that the shortlist this year would be extended by two places because of such a significant year for British sportsmen and women.

With Andy Murray helping Britain win the Davis Cup for the first time in 80 years and Tyson Fury becoming the heavyweight champion of the world after beating Wladimir Klitschko at the weekend, both were added to the shortlist.

"As always, there was a lot of debate and discussion amongst the industry panel when deciding the final list of nominees," said Barbara Slater, BBC Director of Sport and Chair of the panel.

"The panel was faced with some incredibly tough choices in deciding who should be on the shortlist. All nominees have achieved exceptional success in their respective fields in the past year and we wish each of them the best of luck, while also looking forward to a great night in Belfast."

Scroll through our gallery to see the 12 athletes nominated:

The panel for award included Olympic gold medallist and previous Sports Personality of the Year winner Dame Mary Peters, England Rugby World Cup winner Maggie Alphonsi and former Paralympian Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson. They sat alongside former England footballer Jermaine Jenas, sports presenter Hazel Irvine and the Chair of the Youth Sport Trust Baroness Sue Campbell. Also on the 2015 panel were newspaper sports editors Cliff Hayes (Associate Head of Sport Content, The Sun), Tim Hallissey (Head of Sport, The Times) and Ian Prior (Head of Sport, Guardian and Observer). Representing the BBC were Director of Sport, Barbara Slater; Head of TV Sport, Philip Bernie and Sports Personality Executive Editor, Carl Doran.

As well as the main award, there will also be other categories to win, including Team of the Year, Coach of the Year, Young Sports Personality of the Year, a Lifetime Achievement Award, the Helen Rollason Award and the Get Inspired Unsung Hero Award.

Voting for the winner takes place on the night and votes can be cast by phone or online. The number to call for each contender will be revealed during the programme. There is no voting via email, Red Button or by text. For further information go to bbc.co.uk/sportspersonality