Newly-crowned world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has said that he should not win BBC Sports Personality of the Year after being named as one of the 12 athletes on the shortlist.
More than 40,000 people have signed a petition against the inclusion of the 27-year-old due to past comments on homosexuality and women.
Fury admitted today that he has not set the best example. He tweeted: "Hopefully I don't win @BBCSPOTY as I'm not the best roll model in the world for the kids, give it to someone who would appreciate it, 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏"
Fury, who beat Wladimir Klitschko for the WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight titles on Saturday, will not be removed from the shortlist, though.
A BBC spokesperson told PA: "The Sports Personality shortlist is compiled by a panel of industry experts and is based on an individual's sporting achievement - it is not an endorsement of an individual's personal beliefs either by the BBC or members of the panel."
Andy Murray is the odds-on favourite to be crowned Sports Personality of the Year after leading Great Britain to their first Davis Cup success in 79 years.
