BBC REJECT FURY’S LEGAL BID TO COME OFF SHORTLIST
THE BBC have replied to a legal letter from Tyson Fury reiterating that the boxer will remain on the Sports Personality of the Year shortlist. Fury revealed yesterday that he had instructed his lawyers to contact Beeb bosses to get him removed from Sunday’s public vote. But Sportsmail understands the BBC have now responded to that letter and confirmed that the heavyweight champion will stay as a contender for the main award.
In a statement, they said: ‘The shortlist is decided by an independent expert panel who choose contenders based on their sporting achievement in a given year. On this basis, Tyson Fury will remain on the list for SPOTY 2020.’ Fury was named on the six-person shortlist at the start of this month, but then published an Instagram video saying: ‘Please take me off your list as I’m the people’s champion and I have no need for verification or any awards.’ But the BBC refused his request, and the 32-year-old told ITV’s Good MorningBritain: ‘I see everyone clamouring to get on that list and I’m clamouring to get off it. ‘I have asked nicely in a video to be taken off the list and they decided that they were not going to take me off. So I have had my lawyers send them a letter demanding that I am taken off the list and let’s hope they listen.’
The BBC have not given up on Fury having a dramatic change of heart and participating in Sunday’s programme. Producers hope to have all award winners and contenders either in their studio in Salford or ‘down the line’ so presenters can speak to them remotely. Should Fury claim the award and refuse to take part, he would be the first winner in more than 60 years not to pick up the trophy himself.