Doncaster-connected Tyson Fury asks lawyers to remove him from BBC award list

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Doncaster-connected world heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury has instructed his lawyers to demand his removal from the shortlist for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.

The Gypsy King, whose family hails from Doncaster, was one of six athletes nominated for the prestigious annual honour last month.

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The 32-year-old told Good Morning Britain that he had asked ‘politely’ for his nomination to be rescinded last month, writing on Instagram: “This is a message for bbcsport and their SPOTY award - please take me off your list as I’m the people’s champion and have no need for verification or any awards.”

The BBC turned down Fury's request, but the boxer has now revealed he has escalated the row.

Tyson and Paris Fury.Tyson and Paris Fury.
Tyson and Paris Fury.

He said: “I have asked nicely in a video to be taken off the list and they decided that they were not going to take me off the list. So I have had my lawyers send them a letter demanding that I am taken off the list and let’s hope they listen and take me off the list.”

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He is in line for the award along with Lewis Hamilton, Ronnie O’Sullivan, Stuart Broad, Jordan Henderson and Hollie Doyle.

The Sports Personality of the Year show will be broadcast live from MediaCityUK on December 20.

Fury grew up in Manchester in a traveller family but his wife Paris comes from Doncaster and the pair met at traveller gatherings in the town before becoming an item.

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The pair tied the knot at St Peter In Chains Catholic Church in Chequer Road in 2008. The wedding attracted 400 guests. It was followed by a reception at The Stables in High Melton.

The couple have a luxury home in Morecambe but regularly visit family in Doncaster and Tyson has previously expressed a wish to be the UK Member of Parliament for the seaside town.

In December 2015, the fighter stunned shoppers in the Doncaster Church View branch of bargain store B&M when he popped in to do a spot of Christmas shopping.

He posed for photos with staff and was later spotted walking through Doncaster town centre, chatting and posing for selfies with fans.