Olympic hero Skelton needs your support

SHOWJUMPING legend Nick Skelton will have to defeat some decorated competitors if he is to win the 2016 BBC Sports Personality of the Year award on Sunday.

The 58-year-old, who lives near Alcester, is one of 16 sportsmen and women up for the prestigious title.

Skelton’s success story at the Games, riding the stallion Big Star, certainly captured the public imagination.

Not only did he bounce back from serious injury — a broken neck 16 years ago, persistent chronic back pain and a hip replacement — but Big Star also suffered several injuries since Skelton’s Olympic team gold at London 2012.

Asked if he thought he could win, Skelton said: “It depends, you never know what can happen if enough people get behind you.”

Skelton is 50/1 with the majority of bookmakers to win the award. Andy Murray is the red-hot favourite at 1/6, followed by Alistair Brownlee at 8/1.

A Facebook page, urging the public to vote for Skelton, has been liked by almost 30,000 people.

Voting can be made by phone or for free on the BBC website. This year’s event takes place at the Genting Arena in Birmingham.