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'AFTER ALL HE DID!'

Fans’ fury as Jermain Defoe is snubbed by BBC Sports Personality Awards despite Bradley Lowery heroics

FUMING fans have slammed Sports Personality of the Year for snubbing Jermain Defoe despite his overwhelming support for Bradley Lowery.

The Bournemouth striker struck up a heartwarming friendship with Bradley and was left devastated by the six-year-old's death in July.

 The footballer formed a close friendship with "best pal" and Sunderland superfan Bradley
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The footballer formed a close friendship with "best pal" and Sunderland superfan BradleyCredit: Reuters
​Jermain Defoe talks about his special bond with ​Bradley Lowery on This Morning

Bradley's brave battle with rare childhood cancer neuroblastoma touched the nation but it was his friendship with Defoe that bought the football community together.

Fans are now wondering why the footballer hasn't been nominated to win the Sports Personality of the Year Award for 2017 - despite thousands signing a petition.

Alastair Campbell said: "Jermain Defoe not being up for #SPOTY just shows it is nothing to do with personality and just a selection of the best performers."

@EllieStevens_ said: "Livid Jermain isn't nominated for #SPOTY mind, should've won it by a mile. Hope he is going to get some sort of award/acknowledgment on the night. #Defoe".

2017 BBC Sports Personality of the Year award contenders

Elise Christie (Speed skating)

Mo Farah (Athletics)

Chris Froome (Cycling)

Lewis Hamilton (Formula 1)

Anthony Joshua (Boxing)

Harry Kane (Football)

Johanna Konta (Tennis)

Jonnie Peacock (Para-athletics)

Adam Peaty (Swimming)

Jonathan Rea (Motorcycling)

Anya Shrubsole (Cricket)

Bianca Walkden (Taekwondo)

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Bradley Lowery passed away earlier this month after losing his cancer fight
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Bradley Lowery passed away in July after losing his cancer fightCredit: PA:Press Association

@johnwalt2 wrote: "So Jermaine Defoe is not even in the 12 nominations for this year’s ‘BBC Sports Personality of The Year’, disgusting if you ask me after all he did for little Bradley Lowery".

While Jake Holt said: "The bbc should hang there heads in shame. Not even a nominee for Jermain Defoe to be sports personality of the year."

It has been suggested Defoe could win a special award on the night rather than the official prize but this hasn't been confirmed.

The pair grew close after Sunderland superfan Bradley became a regular mascot with the club - striking up a close bond with the then-Black Cats player.

 Defoe said this was his favourite picture with his 'best pal' Bradley Lowery
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Defoe said this was his favourite picture with his 'best pal' Bradley LoweryCredit: Reuters
 This touching photo which captured the hearts of the nation
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This touching photo which captured the hearts of the nationCredit: Twitter

Defoe said he was heartbroken when he discovered the brave child could only have weeks to live and regularly called Bradley's family for updates.

And the star said in August: "That story of Brad is special - he was my best friend.

"He loved me and I loved him.

"He was genuine."

Bradley battled cancer for most of his life after being diagnosed at just 18 months. He beat the disease once but it returned in July 2016.

His family desperately raised money for treatment in the US but doctors delivered the heart-breaking news that the little boy’s cancer had become terminal.

He tragically passed away on July 7 in his parents' arms after his battle with the disease captured the nation's hearts.

Emotional Jermain Defoe speaks about his 'best pal' Bradley Lowery on Football Focus


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