Steve Davis makes extraordinary Ronnie O'Sullivan claim after BBC SPOTY nomination

Ronnie O'Sullivan made the six person shortlist for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, and could become the first snooker player to win it since 1988

Steve Davis has made a huge claim about Ronnie O'Sullivan after his fellow snooker great was shortlisted for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.

'The Rocket' has been joined by Euro 2022 hero Beth Mead, gymnast Jessica Gadirova, curling legend Eve Muirhead, England Test cricket captain Ben Stokes and running sensation Jake Wightman. Voting will be open during the show on BBC One on Wednesday, 21 December.

The odds are seemingly against O'Sullivan though, despite him winning a record-equalling seventh world title at The Crucible this year. No snooker player has won the award since Davis himself in 1988.

It's a notion that the current world No 1 has previously savaged, describing the programme as a "complete insult" to his sport. He also suggested snooker players would have more of a chance if the show took place in China, and was glad he was never nominated as he wouldn't attend anyway.

But pundit Davis has left fans in no doubt over who he is backing, after sharing a Tweet confirming O'Sullivan's nomination. He captioned it: "The most talented sports personality the UK has ever produced."

Fans seemed to agree, with @SnookerForce writing "Hard to argue with that!" while @Helen09779852 posted: "I agree entirely." @GianHalil added "Facts."

However, the bookies currently believe that O'Sullivan will again miss out, like he did in 2020 when Lewis HamiltonEngland to success on home soil.

And golf fans have been left perturbed after their was no place in the final six for US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick. He's since revealed he had already snubbed the invitation to attend due to an apparent lack of recognition for golfers.

Other awards to be announced include Young Sports Personality of the Year, Team and Coach of the Year, Unsung Hero and the Helen Rollason Award. Eight-time sprinting gold medallist Usain Bolt will be honoured with the Lifetime Achievement award, while Argentina's World Cup winner Lionel Messi is World Sport Star of the Year.