Tyson Fury sends legal letter to BBC to have himself removed from SPOTY 2020 shortlist

Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Tyson Fury has had his lawyers deliver a letter to the BBC ordering them to remove his name from the Sports Personality of the Year shortlist after his “polite” video request was ignored. The BBC have continued to include Fury’s name alongside the other contenders for this year’s award, which features seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton, Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, jockey Hollie Doyle, snooker world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan and cricketer Stuart Broad. Fury’s previous appearance on the Sports Personality of the Year shortlist caused controversy in 2015 following a string of homophobic, anti-abortion and sexist comments, for which he apologised for during the live ceremony. More than 100,000 people signed a petition calling for Fury to be removed from the award shortlist, but after defeating Wladimir Klitschko to become world heavyweight champion for the first time, Fury finished in fourth with more than 70,000 people voting for him - behind Andy Murray, Kevin Sinfield and Jessica Ennis-Hill.