Josh Kerr's BBC Sports Personality of the Year omission is defended by company's director of sport, Barbara Slater, who insists 'we are going to have worthy people who just fall short'

The BBC’s director of sport has defended Josh Kerr’s omission from the Sports Personality of the Year shortlist.

World 1500 metres champion Kerr was overlooked as one of the six contenders for the trophy, which will be decided by public vote on Tuesday night.

Seb Coe, the World Athletics president and 1979 SPOTY winner, was among those to criticise the Scot’s snub.

But Barbara Slater, who chaired the 12-person shortlisting panel, told Mail Sport: ‘We always have people we would love to put on the list, but we can’t. We had so many world champions. We had Jake Jarman in gymnastics, Matt Richards in swimming, where do you draw the line?

‘There’s going to be some that don’t make it. Even when we extended the list, it didn’t take the problem away.

‘The criteria is sporting achievement but it is impact as well. The panel will have robust debate and a lot of consideration is given arguing the case for one person above another. 

'But the truth is, we are going to have worthy people who just fall short.

‘The programme has a special place in the heart of the British public. It’s every bit as relevant. You’ve only got to look at the column inches.’