VIEWERS claim Rory McIlroy “snubbed” the BBC Sports Personality of the Year event – after he failed to turn up or record a video despite being an award nominee.

The golf star’s shock absence sparked huge speculation on the night that Lionesses’ keeper Mary Earps picked up the top gong.

Some sports fans suggest the Northern Ireland legend was right not to attend – as they reckon the BBC has covered his sport poorly.

McIlroy was the only one on the six-person shortlist to be neither seen nor heard on Tuesday evening – with Ryder Cup-winning team-mate Tommy Fleetwood being interviewed in his place.

Even horse-racing icon Frankie Dettori made up for not being there by speaking on video link.

So that put an even brighter spotlight on McIlroy.

One observer posted: “Well, given the BBC’s increasingly lack of support for golf, I really don’t blame him. Why should he support SPOTY if it doesn’t provide any live pro golf.”

Another wrote: “The BBC has made their bed where golf is concerned so now they need to lie in it.”

And a third reckoned McIlroy should still be smarting from missing out on the SPOTY award nine years ago.

That spectacular period was when the four-time Major winner triumphed in both the Open and the PGA Championship.

The fan hit out: “He should have won it in 2014. For what was the greatest sports programme of my childhood – it is now an irrelevant piece of media.”

The BBC declined to comment on McIlroy’s no-show.

In contrast, viewers went into over-drive as they pondered why he made his decision.

One described Mcilroy’s non-attendance as an “epic” choice.

And others argued it was an “utter sham” he didn’t finish high up the list of nominees.

Retired Test icon Stuart Broad was runner-up to Earl, with heptathlon world champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson third.