Irate viewers called the police after Mo Farah shockingly won sports award

British Athlete Mo Farah reacts after competing in a race [PHOTO: COURTESY]

Farah was a surprise victor with Anthony Joshua as short as 1/10 with some bookmakers before the ceremony in Liverpool.

And viewers were so angry some even called the police to complain about the result, with the Cheshire force taking to Twitter to tell people not to pick up the phone.

"Calling 101 to complain that the person you voted for to win the Sports Personality of the Year Award is not an appropriate use of the service and a waste of 15p," they tweeted.

"Please think carefully before phoning us."

Farah led a shock top three with Superbike champ Jonathan Rea second and para-athlete Jonnie Peacock third.

As such Joshua, who this year moved to 20-0 in the ring, all by knockout - including his war with Wladimir Klitschko in front of 90,000 at Wembley, didn’t even make the top three.

In SPOTY betting on Betfair's betting exchange an hour before the victor was announced, some 88 percent of all matched money was on Joshua to take the award.

“I’m shocked," said Farah. "I never thought I would win. I didn't prepare any speech.”