Tyson Fury takes LEGAL ACTION against the BBC in his bid to be removed from the Sports Personality of the Year shortlist, insisting he does not need ‘a pat on the back’ or a ‘glass trophy’ because he’s already the ‘people’s champion’
- Tyson Fury already called on the BBC to remove him from their SPOTY shortlist
- But after the BBC refused, the Gypsy King now says he is taking legal action
- Fury says he does not ‘need gratification from anyone’ ahead of Sunday’s show
- Fury is one of the frontrunners for the gong, with Lewis Hamilton the favourite
Tyson Fury has taken his bid to be taken off the Sports Personality of the Year shortlist to the next level by revealing his lawyer has sent a letter to the BBC demanding his immediate removal.
The world heavyweight champion, who is one of the frontrunners for the prestigious award after his devastating knockout victory over Deontay Wilder in February, announced 12 days ago that he did not want to be considered for the prize as he has ‘no need for verification or awards.’
However, with the BBC insisting that the Gypsy King will remain on the list, Fury told Good Morning Britain that he has taken legal action, with just six days to go until the awards ceremony in Salford, Manchester on Sunday.
Tyson Fury has again called on the BBC to take him off their shortlist for this year’s SPOTY
Fury revealed on Monday that his lawyer has sent a letter to the BBC asking for his removal
‘I don’t need any awards from any TV stations or organisations for me to know who I am,’ Fury said on Monday morning.
‘I know who I am and I know what I’ve done, I don’t need a pat on the back and I don’t need a glass trophy.
‘No disrespect to anyone but I see everyone clamouring to get on the list and I’m clamouring to get off it. I don’t need gratification from anyone.
‘I’m the peoples champion and the love of the people is worth more to me than everything and I don’t need an award.
‘I’ve asked nicely to be taken off their list and they’ve decided not to take me off the list so I’ve had my lawyer send a letter demanding they take me off the list.’
Fury has been nominated once before in 2015 (pictured at the ceremony with wife Paris)
Lewis Hamilton is the bookies’ favourite to win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award
In a statement after Fury made his wishes known on social media on December 2, the BBC 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. As always the winner will be decided by the public voting during the live show and it is of course up to Tyson if he chooses to participate in the show.’
Fury, who was nominated once before in 2015, is on the list alongside favourite Lewis Hamilton, as well as Jordan Henderson, Stuart Broad, Ronnie O’Sullivan and Hollie Doyle.
He finished fourth five years ago, but only after the BBC resisted clamour to remove him from their shortlist because of alleged homophobic and sexist comments.
Cricketer Ben Stokes won last year’s prize, following his World Cup and Ashes heroics.
Ben Stokes won last year’s award, voted for by a public vote during the show on the night
Fury now looks set to fight Anthony Joshua in 2021 after AJ’s explosive win on Saturday night
Fury, 32, also discussed facing Anthony Joshua in what would be one of the most highly-anticipated heavyweight fights in decades next year, after AJ knocked-out Kubrat Pulev on Saturday night.
The Gypsy King said it would be ‘one of the most explosive, quickest fights we will ever see’ and was ‘optimistic’ it would happen, with the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world on the line.
‘I am aiming to take him out inside four rounds,’ said Fury.
‘He is standing in my way of total supremacy in my era. Immortality awaits. I am one win away from it.’