Marcus Rashford favourite for BBC Sports Personality of the Year award after forcing government U-turn on ending free school meals

Striker took to Twitter to celebrate Boris Johnson’s reversal of his initial decision

Marcus Rashford has become the new favourite to win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award after he forced the government to make a U-turn on their decision to end a free school meal voucher system.

In a letter published on Sunday, Manchester United’s Rashford recalled his own experiences of depending on free school meals as a child, and asked politicians to uphold the national voucher initiative that was introduced in March.

The scheme has allowed children in low-income families access to free meals despite the closure of schools amid the coronavirus crisis, but – despite Rashford’s pleas – it was initially confirmed that the system would cease to run when the school term ends.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson reversed the decision on Tuesday, however, following further pressure from Rashford, 22, leading the footballer to celebrate on Twitter.

“I don’t even know what to say,” Rashford wrote. “Just look at what we can do when we come together, THIS is England in 2020.”

Following the striker’s successful campaign, the odds have shortened drastically on this year’s expected BBC Sports Personality of the Year award winner, with Rashford now leading the race.

The England international is currently 2/1 to win the award, slightly ahead of WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury (7/4). Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson (12/1) and Captain Sir Tom Moore, who has raised millions for the NHS amid the coronavirus crisis, are other contenders for the prize.

Rashford’s campaign was backed by Labour leader Keir Starmer on Tuesday morning with his party launching the #HolidaysWithoutHunger campaign to fight Johnson’s decision, while former England captain Gary Lineker was one of many high-profile sport stars to throw their weight behind the campaign.

Rashford has also teamed up with FareShare, a food distribution charity that has been distributing three million meals to vulnerable people across the country each week during the pandemic.