‘I think they know’ – Luke Littler sends message to BBC bosses as he snubs SPOTY despite being up for two awards

LUKE LITTLER is planning to snub next week’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards.

The Nuke finished runner-up to Olympic 800 metres champion Keely Hodgkinson in the public vote for the 2024 accolade.

The 18-year-old has been shortlisted again for the Beeb’s individual award, in recognition of the six major TV titles he has won, including the World Darts crown, and becoming the sport’s youngest world No.1.

This time he is in a top six that contains newly-crowned F1 world champion Lando Norris, England footballers Hannah Hampton and Chloe Kelly, England rugby union World Cup winner Ellie Kildunne and Masters golf champion Rory McIlroy.

Littler does not expect to win and the bookmakers agree with that assessment – he is fourth favourite at odds of 14-1, with McIlroy the top bet.

Yet rather than spend the evening at the BBC’s studios at MediaCity in Salford, he is preferring a night on the sofa, especially as he is chasing the £1million world title.

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Littler said: “I’m not going. I’m not going to it.”

Asked if he had told the BBC about his intentions, Littler replied: “I think they know.

“I think obviously the people in the top three on the betting odds will obviously go there.”

Jude Bellingham, the England and Real Madrid footballer, did not turn up last year and in 2023, McIlroy did not engage with the BBC bosses over his selection.

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Not being present on the night can affect your chances of winning public votes.

Littler said: “If I had to pick a winner, definitely Lando.

“Yeah, I think I’ve only missed out on four majors this year. So if I win them, do I win it? But yeah, good luck to whoever’s going to win it.”

Littler is also in the running for the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award.

He has been nominated alongside England’s Euros footballer Michelle Agyemang, and Warwickshire cricketer Davina Perrin, who are both 19.

The 72nd annual awards night will be held at MediaCity in Salford on Thursday December 18 and presented by Clare Balding, Gabby Logan and Alex Scott.

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