Tyson Fury must remember he is a role model, says sports minister

Lord Hall denied Fury’s inclusion in the shortlist gave the boxer power over the BBC. “The decision was taken by the panel and I’m sure that’s the case”.

Last night, a spokesman for Fury’s promoter, Hennessy Sports, said they expected him to be in Belfast as planned. “Just not, for the time being, to Tyson Fury”. “They may have gone along with it, but they certainly didn’t initiate it”.

‘You were clear on the Jeremy Vine Show that you have positive and non-homophobic beliefs and love everybody, and I was encouraged to hear you say “I would like to put on record that I am not homophobic”.

“As I say, I’ve not been party to the decisions”.

Speaking at the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee, Lord Hall said, “He’s been put on that list because of his sporting prowess”.

It is disgraceful that the BBC has allowed him to be nominated for Sports Personality of the Year. ‘What do you think women and gay kids watching this will think?’ asked Nicolson.

Indeed, it was the very existence of the sports writers’ Sportsman of the Year, and a similar trophy then presented by the Daily Express, which forced the BBC to call their prize the Sports Personality of the Year – a useful non-gender specific title but one which has seen the BBC become bogged down in controversy nearly annually over how it chooses its shortlist of contenders.

Hall replied: ‘I hope they will vote and make their views known’. “Do you think he would still be on your shortlist?”

After the committee hearing, John Nicholson spoke to the Belfast Telegraph, saying that he found Lord Hall’s answers “entirely unsatisfactory”.

Rutherford has said he will not speak to Fury during the awards ceremony.

Lord Hall, the Corporation’s director-general told MPs that it was up to the British public to decide whether the world heavyweight champion is awarded the prestigious title.

Mr Nicholson added: “They’ll have no one to blame but themselves if he goes on stage and repeats some of these revolting views”.

“If he is a role model, he’s an extremely disturbing one”.

“As an openly gay athlete who’s competed in both rugby and bobsleigh, I’m aware that homophobia is massive issue within the sporting world and is something I have actually experienced myself to the point when I questioned my own participation in the sports I love”.