The BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year show has sparked fresh controversy over claims of ‘woke’ programming, following presenter Gabby Logan’s decision to wish viewers a ‘happy festive season’ rather than ‘Merry Christmas’.
The annual sports celebration, which aired on Tuesday evening, faced immediate backlash from viewers over both Logan’s seasonal greeting and its all-female presenting lineup featuring Logan, Clare Balding, and Alex Scott.
Critics quickly took to social media, accusing the BBC of being ‘afraid’ to acknowledge Christmas.
One online critic wrote: ‘What is wrong with saying Christmas? Or is this word banned in case someone is offended?’
Gabby Logan has been slammed over wishing a ‘happy festive season’
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Another viewer questioned: ‘Sports personality evening marred by Gabby Logan wishing us all a very happy festive season, have we become afraid of saying Christmas?’
The controversy emerged after Logan, 51, departed from the traditional Christmas greeting at the conclusion of the prestigious awards ceremony.
The choice of words has reignited debates about the BBC’s approach to traditional festive messaging.
The show’s all-female presenting lineup proved equally contentious, with viewers expressing frustration over the absence of male presenters.
Despite the trio’s extensive broadcasting experience across gymnastics, football, swimming, rugby, and horse racing, complaints flooded social media within minutes of the broadcast beginning.
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One viewer wrote: ‘Nice bit of diverse and equal choice of presenters by the @BBCSport for #SPOTY. Not a male in sight. And they wonder why almost a million viewers have cancelled their TV licences.’
Another commented: ‘#SPOTY no male presenters? What happened to the politically correct inclusively. Guess it only works one way’.
The evening’s winner was 22-year-old Keely Hodgkinson, who claimed the top award following her Olympic gold medal success in Paris 2024.
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Keely Hodgkinson won the Sports Personality of the Year award this year
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Hodgkinson, who became the fourth consecutive female winner, also set a new 800m British record of one minute and 54.61 seconds.
Some viewers questioned this result, with one social media user claiming the BBC had turned the show into ‘a second rate, don’t even know it’s on, woke fest of diversity, and female bias.’
Another argued that darts player Luke Littler was more deserving of the award.
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The BBC were slammed as ‘sexist’ over their all-female presenting team
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The criticism extended beyond the winner’s selection, with one viewer specifically stating: ‘I admire Keely Hodgkinson BUT surely @LukeTheNuke180 deserved to win more than her.’
The same critic suggested there was ‘element of woke snobbery in this result.’
Hodgkinson triumphed over a strong field of contenders including darts sensation Luke Littler, triathlete Alex Yee, footballer Jude Bellingham, and cricketer Joe Root.
Upon receiving the award from Sir Chris Hoy and Mary Earps, Hodgkinson remarked she was in ‘a little bit of shock.’
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