When Dawson met Ali

Dawson scores for the Lions, Team of the Year in 1997

The BBC Sports Personality of the Year is one of the biggest shows on televison. England and Northampton rugby star Matt Dawson fondly remembers his own particular role in the programme's last four years.

The first year I was invited to Sports Personality of the Year was a special one. It was 1997, and the British Lions won Team of the Year after we beat South Africa in their own backyard.

I think the best show so far was the Millenniumspecial - when Muhammad Ali walked in, the whole room was in awe

  Matt Dawson

We were chilling out in the hospitality area, having a few beers, and half the boys rocked up in their Lions blazers while the rest of us were looking good in suits. Austin Healey and a few of the Leicester boys had foolishly gone for the blazer option.

We made our way into the main area - it was in the Queen Elizabeth Hall on the South Bank - and my name was on the front row while Austin was about 20 rows back in the cheap seats, absolutely nowhere.

That was it. For the rest of the night, he had the mickey ripped out of him something chronic.

Jerry Guscott was interviewed because of the drop-goal that had won us the Second Test, and then they brought me up for the most nerve-wracking thing I've ever done.

Guscott drops that winning goal

Imagine it - live TV, and in the studio some of the greatest sportsmen around. Legends everywhere.

They wheeled out this set of mini-rugby posts and lined up Matthew Pinsent, Lee Westwood and Denise Lewis. The idea was that I'd spin them a pass and they'd have a drop at goal.

I was about 10 feet away, but it felt like a hundred. I was wetting myself, terrified I was going to lob it past their heads or down by their ankles and look like a right prat.

They all absolutely spooned it.

Under the posts, into the crowd - it was shocking. One of them nearly smacked me between the legs. It was an absolute disaster.

Childhood heroes

I think the best show so far was the Millennium special last year. When Muhammad Ali walked in, the whole room was in awe. It was one of those special moments.

I've been lucky in many ways - I've met quite a few of my childhood heroes - guys like Daley Thompson.

But the show is ideal from that point of view. Everyone's there to enjoy themselves, you can have a few drinks and let your hair down with loads of other sportspeople.

Each year you see the same people. It's a great time to catch up with the faces you don't see anywhere else.

You make a lot of good friends. I've become good mates with Aston Villa striker Dion Dublin from meeting him in '97.

Healey: in the cheap seats

I used to watch the show religiously as a kid. Sunday night, and your mum and dad would always let you stay up and watch it.

As for my tips for the winners this year, I would be very disappointed if Steve Redgrave didn't win it.

Denise Lewis has got be right up there - but there's always the odd surprise.

With Team of the Year, the rowing eight or four would have to be in shout. As for that fine rugby team who won the Heineken Cup, well, it's a big ask.

Seeing as Bath won the Cup two years ago and didn't get a sniff, it's not looking great for Northampton. But we might get a mention.

Hopefully too Austin Healey will be snubbed again, and be sitting out by the dustbins.

With my connections at the Beeb these days, maybe I should have a word with somebody...