Tyson Fury to remain on BBC Sports Personality of the Year award shortlist

Tyson Fury is to remain on this year's Sports Personality of the Year award shortlist, the BBC have said.

The 32-year-old world heavyweight champion had asked to be taken off the shortlist for SPOTY 2020.

In a video posted on social media, Fury said that he was "the people's champion and have no need for verification or any awards".

He said: "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.”

But a BBC spokesperson has said Fury would remain on the list because it is decided by an independent panel.

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 is joined on the six-person shortlist by Lewis Hamilton, Ronnie O’Sullivan, Stuart Broad, Jordan Henderson and Hollie Doyle.