Stephen Fry has removed his twitter account after arguing online with some of his critics over a joke he made during the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Award.
Fry, who has been hosting for the BAFTA‘s since 2001, commented on the appearance of costume design award-winner Jenny Beaven at the event on Sunday.
He stated “only one of the great cinematic costume designers would come to an awards ceremony dressed as a bag lady”.
Vine.
The majority of the BAFTA audience laughed at the gag.
However, online some people were offended by the host’s remarks.
Woah @stephenfry that 'Bag Lady' comment was so uncalled for. #EEBAFTAs
— JAMES GOLEY (@jamesgoley) February 14, 2016
Uncool of Stephen Fry to say bafta winning costume designer dressed like a 'bag lady'. I was thinking it was cool she wore what she wanted.
— Jo Elvin (@jo_elvin) February 14, 2016
A tad harsh from Stephen Fry ? #bafta2016 #baglady
— Michelle McManus (@LadyM_McManus) February 14, 2016
Oh Stephen Fry and your snidey, sneery bag lady comment. True colours? #BAFTAs
— Michael Hogan (@michaelhogan) February 14, 2016
After tweeters informed Fry of their dislike for his joke he angrily responded in multiple tweets showing how exasperated he was at the outrage to his comment.
He began to swear telling “all you f******* the f*** off”.
The actor insisted he was only “joshing” with Jenny Beavan and they are both truly good friends.
Fry received support from some of his fans and retweeted their messages.
The next day Fry confirms on his website “I have indeed deactivated my twitter account”.
He states despite his online tirade, which he thinks some might wrongly construe was him having a tantrum and “in a huff throwing my toys out of my pram as I go” he hasn’t “slammed the door” on Twitter for good, but has just temporarily “left”.
The QI host on his website metaphorically likens Twitter to be a pool now “frothy with scum”, “trolls” and “a stalking ground for the sanctimoniously self-righteous who love to second-guess, to leap to conclusions and be offended – worse, to be offended on behalf of others they do not even know”.
One tweeter agrees with Fry’s reasoning for abandoning twitter.
#StephenFry pursued by Twitter's new Orwellian "Trust and Safety Council" #StephenFry pic.twitter.com/AwNLaThEgu
— The Nicopotamus (@jesuisturnip) February 15, 2016
Do you think Stephen Fry’s “bag lady” joke was funny or was in bad taste? Please comment below!
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