Bringing out real personality

The day before the day of days. Soon, that protracted qualification tournament held in London last summer will have produced an overall winner.

Somebody will claim the crown that gained added prestige in 2006, when Zara Phillips — 13th in line to the other throne — won for some kind of horse whispering.

The importance of this weekend in the British sporting calendar is best illustrated by Gary Lineker’s cleared diary. There will be no Match of the Day for Gary tonight, as rehearsals continue for the big one; BBC SPOTY.