Tyson Fury DEMANDS that the BBC remove him from contenders for 2020 Sports Personality of the Year

Tyson Fury has called on the BBC to take him off the list of contenders for the 2020 Sports Personality of the Year award. 

In a video on his Instagram account, the world heavyweight champion said: ‘This is a message for @bbcsport and their SPOTY award – please take me off your list as I’m the people’s champion and have no need for verification or any awards.

‘I know who I am and what I’ve done in the sport. I have the love of the people which means more to me than all the awards in the world. To anyone who supports me, don’t vote.’

Tyson Fury has called on the BBC to take him off the list of contenders for this year’s SPOTY

In a video on social media, the Gypsy King implored supporters not to vote for him to win 

Ben Stokes won last year’s award, voted for by a public vote during the show on the night

The world heavyweight champion was named as the sixth and final contender for the BBC’s annual sports award on Tuesday, after his epic victory against Deontay Wilder in February. 

Fury joined favourite Lewis Hamilton on the list, as well as Jordan Henderson, Lewis Hamilton, Stuart Broad, Ronnie O’Sullivan and Hollie Doyle. 

Lewis Hamilton is the bookies’ favourite to win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award

But the Gypsy King, who was also nominated in 2015, insists he has no interest in winning the award and urged the BBC to remove him from their list of contenders in a video on Wednesday afternoon. 

This year’s awards show is due to take place on Sunday December 20 in Salford, Manchester. 

After his nomination was announced for the 2015 award, following his memorable triumph over Wladimir Klitschko, around 140,000 people signed a petition claiming that his views on homosexuality with paedophilia should disqualify him. 

Fury has been nominated once before in 2015 (pictured at the ceremony with wife Paris) 

Comments he made before the Klitschko fight, in which he denounced abortion and homosexuality, were heavily criticised after he said their legalisation would bring forth a biblical reckoning.  

Fury ultimately came fourth in the SPOTY award said at the ceremony: ‘I’ve said a lot of stuff in the past and none of it is with intentions to hurt anybody. 

‘I apologise to anyone that’s been hurt by it.’