Short and chic: Athlete Jessica Ennis leads the glamorous ladies dressing to impress at the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 11:58 PM on 22nd December 2011
The females may have been missing off of the shortlist for the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year Awards, but they certainly made an impact on the red carpet earlier tonight.
The ladies of the sporting world couldn't wait to flash their legs and show off their glitzy style at the bash.
Track and field athlete Jessica Ennis looked stunning as she ditched her sportswear for a feminine frock for the night.
No trainers! Athlete Jessica Ennis made sure she looked immaculate at the sporting awards and led the pack in the style stakes
The 25-year-old looked immaculate as she stepped out in an intricate LBD with cut away detailing.
She matched the ensemble with a ruby red clutch bag and heels, while he hair was styled to perfection as she wore it down.
And she wasn't the only one keen to get her pins out, as 38-year-old marathon champion Paula Radcliffe also dressed to impress for the occasion.
She may have still been on a high from her birthday last week and the runner looked radiant in her shimmering longsleeved mini dress.
Standing out from the crowd: Jockey AP McCoy's wife Chanelle was one of the only few to opt for colour. Good work!
And she swapped her trainers for skyhigh black heels as she turned up with her blonde hair in a side parting.
While the ladies of the sporting world revelled in the glamour, the partners of the male sporting heroes also used the opportunity to dress up to the max.
Footballer Michael Owen's wife Louise also opted for a black frock and was right on trend with the lace detailing.
Lady in Red: Hurdler Dai Greene's girlfriend Sian Davies wowed in her floorlength frock
Looking healthy and happy, Louise matched the dress with sheer tights and obligatory heels.
Jockey AP McCoy won the Sports Personality title last year, and although he walked away without the trophy at this year's ceremony, he seemed happy enough with his gorgeous wife on his arm.
Chanelle McCoy gave the event a splash of colour and wow factor in her dark turquoise floorlength gown.
Dressing up: Swimmer Keri-Anne Payne went for glamorous black while Jane Torvill opted for all out colour with a splash of pink
The plunging neckline and jewelled waist meant all eyes were on her on the red carpet - luckily for AP, who was sporting nasty cuts to his face.
Another beauty who made an impact at the event was Welsh hurdler Dai Greene.
He may have missed out on the title to cyclist Mark Cavendish, but he was helped through the event by his girlfriend Sian Davies.
The brunette stunner wore a red floorlength dress with halterneck detailing.
All eyes were on Mark Cavendish as he picked up the winner's trophy, but he only had eyes for his pregnant girlfriend, model Peta Todd.
'Nervous': He may have turned up knowing he was the favourite to walk away with the Sports Personality of the Year Award, but cyclist Mark Cavendish still felt nervous about the announcement of the winner
Despite her tall physique and growing baby bump, Peta opted for large heels as she supported her man at the event.
The 25-year-old glamour model looked stunning as she posed in a black dress with a slick of red lipstick brightening up the ensemble.
Still going strong: Former Personality of the Year, boxer Joe Calzaghe, and his dancer girlfriend Kristina Rihanoff turned up the glamour at the event
And despite being the man of the night, even Mark noticed how 'glowing' she was.
Posting on Twitter on his way to the show, Mark wrote: 'Off to #SPOTY with a glowing @petatodd. It's the first time I've been really nervous. Whatever the result, thanks everyone for the support."
And the feeling was obviously mutual as Peta wracked up some last minute support to ensure her man walked away with the trophy.
She wrote: 'En route to #spoty now... Urging you kids to pick up the phone and vote #cav4spoty ... He may be favourite but let's show the love.'
While the pair beamed in front of the cameras, the night proved to be a star-studded affair as others flocked to the glitzy bash.
Golden delicious: James Cracknell's wife Beverly Turner looked stunning in her gold mini dress
While most of the women used the opportunity to show off their fashion credentials away from lycra, gymnast Beth Tweddle failed to impress.
She wore a fetching sleeveless black mini dress with gold frill detailing and matched the frock with some gold heels when she walked the red carpet.
Other sports personalities turning up to watch the event unfold included rugby star and TV man Matt Dawson, cricketer Andrew Strauss and footballer Michael Owen.
Royal affair: Zara Phillips came to support husband, rugby ace Mike Tindall, at the event
Black vs Colour: Cricketer Alistair Cook and athlete Steve Cram showed off their partners who opted for a variety of different looks
Olympic rowing legend Steve Redgrave posed with his former team mate Matthew Pinsent before picking up the Lifetime Achievement award inside the ceremony.
Steve grinned widely as he was reunited with Matthew as the dressed in matching black suits.
Their other former team mate, James Cracknell also showed up to support Steve as he received the honour.
Down to the last 10: Golfer Darren Clarke and cricketer Andrew Strauss were shortlisted and turned up with their partners to watch the night unfold
And his wife Beverly Turner provided a glamorous touch to the evening with her stunning gold dress.
She matched her tan peep toe heels with her clutch bag to finish the look off nicely.
Other stars adding some glitz to the male-heavy event included ice skater Jane Torvill, who tried a bit too hard in a pink satin number with a black shawl.
Former boxer Joe Calzaghe, who won the Sports Personality title in 2007, also showed his relationship with Strictly Come dancing professional Kirstina Rihanoff is still going strong.
The pair looked closer than ever at the bash, which saw Russian Kristina turn up in a faux fur coat and long gold earrings over a black body hugging number.
Other contenders who battled with Mark Cavendish to gain the title also took their time as they entered the event to take it all in and pose for photos.
Boxer Amir Khan looked dapper in a black suit and tie, while golfer Rory McIlroy also dressed to impress as he hoped to walk away with the prize.
And it was even a royal affair with Zara Philips appearing with her rugby player husband Mike Tindall to find out the winners.
She looked stunning in a purple gown with black tights and her hair pulled back into an up-do.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2077733/Sports-Personality-Year-2011-Jessica-Ennis-leads-glamorous-ladies-red-carpet.html#ixzz1hJQg6df0