BBC SPOTY 2015: Protest outside the SSE Arena in Belfast over the nomination of Tyson Fury

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

Some of the protesters outside the SSE Arena in Belfast (twitter.com/JP_Biz)

A group of protesters have picketed the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards ceremony over the shortlisting of controversial boxing champion Tyson Fury.

Up to 30 gay and equal-rights campaigners held banners and chanted slogans such as "Anti-woman, anti-gay, Tyson Fury go away" and "Tyson Fury hear us clear, we don't want your bigotry here".

The protest outside Belfast's SSE arena was kept well away from the red carpet but coincided with the arrival of the 7,500 audience.

John O'Doherty, director of The Rainbow Project, an LBGT support group, said: "It is very disappointing that the BBC have ignored public opinion and refused to remove Tyson Fury from the shortlist, even though his late addition came after his disgraceful and inflammatory comments about women and gay people.

"An excellent boxer Tyson Fury may be, however his extremely callous and erroneous remarks about our community make him an unworthy candidate to be recognised among the UK's excellent sporting personalities and ambassador."

Fury has faced a barrage of criticism over his personal views since his victory over Ukranian Wladimir Klitschko to win the WBA, IBF and WBO belts in Dusseldorf last month.

Some 130,000 people had signed a petition calling for the BBC to remove the controversial fighter from its shortlist after allegedly homophobic and sexist comments.

Eighteen-year-old Aoife Dowds-Gibson said she felt compelled to take a stand.

She said: "I am disgusted by Tyson Fury's words and I don't think he should have been included in a personality award."

The protesters were also joined by Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, who said he stood in solidarity with them but stopped short of saying the BBC should have excluded the boxer.

Mr McGuinness said: "We believe that the remarks that were made by Tyson Fury were disgraceful, they were appalling, they were misogynistic, they were homophobic and they have no place in a modern society. I think those remarks should be withdrawn.

"Apart from that, hopefully it is going to be a great night.

"I am someone who was the subject of an attempt made by the Thatcher administration to put pressure on the BBC to not show a programme that I participated in, so I don't think as a politician that I should dictate to broadcasters what should be on the airwaves or not.

"But I do think it is very important whenever we hear the sort of remarks that are made that we roundly condemn the remarks as ridiculous and out-of-date sentiments that they express."

At the same time, bookmaker Paddy Power projected a rainbow mural featuring a photograph of Fury superimposed onto a dancer's body which read "Don't be furious, be fabulous".

As he arrived on the red carpet amid a flurry of camera flashes, Fury declined to give any interviews.

Courtney Robinson, from Fight4Equality, said: "In Tyson Fury's neandarthal world view, women are merely objects designed to entertain and serve men.

"He thinks our bodies are simply vessels for reproduction and we shouldn't be allowed to choose for ourselves whether or not we want to have children.

"It is disgraceful that the BBC has allowed him to be nominated for Sports Personality of the Year. His personality is obnoxious and he should not be feted as a role model for young people."

Ruth McCarthy said: "I don't think it is okay for a personality award to go to somebody who says things that are very damaging to gay people and to women. In this day and age, I just don't think it is appropriate.

"It is coming up to Christmas and there are people who won't be going home for Christmas because they are estranged from their families because homophobia has been perpetuated. The BBC should really be ashamed of themselves for this."

Tennis ace Andy Murray and heptathlete Jessica Ennis-Hill are among the favourites to win.

Fury also faces tough competition from the likes of long-distance runner Mo Farah, long jumper Greg Rutherford, cyclist Lizzie Armistead and Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton.

Shadow culture secretary Michael Dugher had called for him to be dropped and sports minister Tracey Crouch reminded Fury that as a sports star, he is role model.

Although Gabby Logan, who will present the awards show alongside Gary Lineker and Clare Balding, said it was right for his sporting achievement to be recognised, she said she would be "disappointed" if he won.

Additional reporting by PA