BBC SPOTY 2015: Tyson Fury calls controversial comments 'tongue in cheek' during on-stage interview with Gary Lineker

The world champion boxer had made controversial comments about women, homosexuality and abortion

James Orr
Sunday 20 December 2015 16:19 EST
Comments
Tyson Fury arrives at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards
Tyson Fury arrives at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards (Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

During his interview on stage with Gary Lineker during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards ceremony in Belfast, Fury attempted to dismiss his recent controversial comments as "all a bit tongue in cheek".

The world champion boxer, who beat Wladimir Klitschkho to win the WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight titles last month, had made controversial comments about women, homosexuality and abortion, and over 130,000 people signed a petition demanding he be removed from the BBC shortlist for the award.

Speaking with host Lineker on stage, Fury said:

“It’s taken me 27 years for me to get to where I am now. There are 7 billion people in the world but there’s only one heavyweight champion of the world and that’s me.”

Lineker then questioned Fury about comments he has made in recent weeks:

Fury replied: “I’ve said a lot of stuff in the past but not with any intentions to hurt anybody. It’s all a bit tongue in cheek.”

“If I said anything that's hurt anybody in the past I apologise to those people.”

More to follow...

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in