TYSON FURY has ordered the BBC to REMOVE him from their Sports Personality of the Year shortlist and begged fans not to vote for him as he ‘doesn’t need verification or awards’.
The heavyweight star, 32, capped his remarkable comeback from depression and drugs by claiming the WBC title belt after knocking out Deontay Wilder in February.
On top of that, Fury – along with wife Paris – helped keep fans fit during the coronavirus lockdown with a series of fitness videos.
For his incredible year, Fury was named on the BBC’s SPOTY shortlist, alongside the likes of Lewis Hamilton – who recently won his record seventh Formula One title.
But despite his incredible story, Fury has demanded the BBC take him off their shortlist as he has ‘no need for verification or awards’.
In the video message on social media, Fury said: “Hi, this is Tyson Fury, the Gypsy King.
“This is a message for the BBC on their SPOTY award: Please take me off your list.
“I am the people’s champion and have no need for verification or any awards.
“I know who I am and what I’ve done in sport.
“The love of the people is worth more to me than all the awards in the world.
“So to all of my supporters: Please don’t vote on this.
“Take me off the list.
“All my love, Tyson Fury, the Gyspy King.”
Fury, who is set to fight fellow Brit Anthony Joshua for the chance to become undisputed heavyweight champion of the world in 2021, was on the shortlist for the award in 2015.
Despite being found to have made homophobic and sexist remarks, the Beeb kept him on for the award.
A staggering 130,000 people had signed a petition pleading for Fury to be removed from the shortlist and protested at the Belfast arena where the awards show was being held, to no avail.
Fury finished fourth in the voting – just 7,000 votes away from third-placed Jessica Ennis-Hill – with Sir Andy Murray winning the gong.
At the time, Fury said: “I’ve said a lot of stuff in the past, none of it with intentions to hurt anybody.
“It’s all a bit tongue in cheek, it’s all fun and games for me.
“I’m not really a serious type of person. Everything’s happy go lucky with Tyson Fury.
“If I’ve said anything in the past that’s hurt anybody, I apologise to anybody’s who’s been hurt out there.
“It’s not my intention to do that.”
