Clive Myrie was discussing Sports Personality of the Year on BBC News Channel and petition to have Fury taken off shortlist

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

A BBC presenter used the word “dickhead” to describe the boxer Tyson Fury during a live TV newspaper review, as a public petition grew for Tyson’s removal from the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards list.

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Clive Myrie was hosting the late-night paper review on Monday on the BBC News Channel and discussing with journalists the selection of Fury – the new heavyweight world champion who has previously caused outrage over his comments about homosexuality, women and religion – as a Sports Personality of the Year nominee.



Myrie, after glancing at his wristwatch and telling viewers “it’s after the watershed”, said that Fury:

Cannot be a dickhead and win the Sports Personality of the Year.

Miranda Green, a journalist, responded: “Thank you, Clive. That is exactly the view I was struggling towards.”

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Miranda Green, a panelist on the BBC’s newspaper review, appeared to agree with Clive Myrie’s comment. Photograph: BBC News

A BBC spokeswoman said: “We apologise to any viewers who were offended by the language Clive Myrie used during a discussion on the late-night paper review on the News Channel.”



Facebook Twitter Pinterest More than 90,000 people appeared to agree with Myrie’s comment, and signed a petition against the boxer winning the prestigious sports personality award. Photograph: BBC News

Fury, 27, had been added to the BBC’s shortlist after his recent surprise victory over Wladimir Klitschko and is one of the favourites to win the prestigious award.



However, more than 90,000 people have already signed an online petition, set up by the LGBT campaigner Scott Cuthbertson, calling for Fury’s name to be removed from the shortlist for expressing homophobic views in an interview with the Mail on Sunday.

The new world heavyweight champion is also shown in footage on YouTube giving his views on women and says: “A woman’s best place is in the kitchen and on her back, that’s my personal belief.”

Fury later addressed the issue on Twitter and admitted he would prefer not to be in the running for the award.



Gypsy King (@Tyson_Fury) 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, 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

Gypsy King (@Tyson_Fury) Just to recap, I stick by anything I've said in the past, 10000% being the heavyweight champion makes no difference to me, I'm a roll model

Cuthbertson had collected the 90,000 signatures demanding Fury be taken off the list before the latest video had been widely seen. The BBC, however, does not intend to alter the initial selections.