Sport

BBC presenter calls Tyson Fury a ‘dickhead’ on live TV

Clive Myrie was discussing Fury’s nomination for Sports Personality of the Year

The nomination of Tyson Fury for BBC Sports Personality of the Year has sparked controversy after his sexist and homophobic remarks. Photo: Paul Ellis/Getty Images
The nomination of Tyson Fury for BBC Sports Personality of the Year has sparked controversy after his sexist and homophobic remarks. Photo: Paul Ellis/Getty Images
Aisha Gani
Tue Dec 08 2015 - 13:35

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.

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 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.”

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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.”

Surprise victory

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.

‘Personal belief’

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.

The heavyweight champion tweeted: “Hopefully I don’t win @BBCSPOTY as I’m not the best roll [SIC]model in the world for the kids, give it to someone who would appreciate it”.

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.