Snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan nominated for SPOTY despite saying he NEVER wants to win it

Ronnie O’Sullivan has made it on to the Sports Personality of the Year shortlist for the first time ever despite previously insisting that he never wanted to win the award.

O’Sullivan, who is the most decorated snooker player ever with 37 ranking titles, is widely regarded as one of Britain’s best sportspeople but has surprisingly never been put up for the annual award – which is handed out by the BBC each December – until this year.

The snooker legend was named on a six-person shortlist for the iconic award alongside Tyson Fury, Jordan Henderson, Lewis Hamilton, Stuart Broad and Hollie Doyle on Tuesday.

Ronnie O’Sullivan has said several times that he never wanted to be put up for SPOTY award

It comes after 44-year-old O’Sullivan won his sixth World Snooker Championship title in emphatic style at the Crucible earlier this year, 19 years after his first.  

‘The Rocket’ has odds of 8-1 to claim the gong but seemingly would not be fussed about winning the award or even attending the event which is due to take place at Media City in Salford on December 20.  

Three years ago Sullivan admitted he was ‘over the moon’ that he has routinely been snubbed for the award, saying: ‘I’m so happy I don’t get nominated because I never would want to go. 

The Snooker legend was however nominated for the gong for the first time ever on Tuesday

Lewis Hamilton was also on the six-person shortlist and is the favourite to scoop the prize

‘It’s not my type of thing – standing around at some gathering – it’s not my scene and I really hope I never get nominated.’

O’Sullivan is a divisive character and has been involved in numerous controversial incidents throughout his illustrious career and even recently branded himself ‘the king of sabotage’.

His most controversial moments include being banned and finned for assaulting a press officer in 1996, being caught on camera muttering ‘suck my d***,’ during a press conference after his exit at the China Open in 2008 and purposefully declining the opportunity to make a maximum break at the 2016 Welsh Open because the £10,000 prize money on offer was ‘too cheap’.

Speaking last year about why he believes he had never been nominated for the award, O’Sullivan said: ‘I think if you are politically correct and you’re that sort of person then you probably are going to get them awards. 

‘If you’re not then they’re probably going to run a mile from you. 

O’Sullivan clinched his sixth World Championship title after defeating Kyren Wilson in August 

‘It is what is, I’d rather take another few world titles and tournaments than a personality award.’ 

O’Sullivan’s first ever nomination comes after another fine year which saw him thrash Kyren Wilson 18–8 in a one-sided world championship final and at 44 years old at the time of winning, he became the oldest champion since Ray Reardon was victorious aged 45 in 1978.

However, Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton is the Bookies’ favourite to scoop the prize, having won his seventh Formula One world title this season, equalling the legendary Michael Schumacher’s tally and claiming his fourth consecutive drivers’ championship.