Which notable UK figures have lost their blue ticks on Twitter?
20 April 2023, 23:04
A mass cull of blue ticks from legacy accounts began on Thursday afternoon.
Legacy blue ticks have been disappearing from Twitter after the social media site’s move to get more people to sign up to Twitter Blue.
Twitter Verified tweeted that legacy verified checkmarks would be removed from the site on April 20, with the main way of getting a blue tick being to sign up for Twitter Blue, with an £8 monthly fee for those based in the UK.
Here is a look at what has happened to the blue ticks once held by notable figures in the UK after the mass cull on Thursday.
– Who has lost their tick?
– The Prince and Princess of Wales
The official account for William and Kate was left without a tick on Thursday afternoon.
– Ricky Gervais
My blue tick has gone. I’m not sure if I’m really me or not. pic.twitter.com/6ghPgfUSfX
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) April 20, 2023
The comedian mourned the loss of his blue tick by tweeting: “My blue tick has gone. I’m not sure if I’m really me or not.”
The post was accompanied by a close-up image of Gervais.
– Richard Osman
Farewell blue tick, old friend. Don't forget, always set your feed to 'Following' rather than 'For You'. Then you'll keep seeing the people you actually follow, and not people who've paid for attention. https://t.co/8q9iboOoNj
— Richard Osman (@richardosman) April 20, 2023
The comedian and presenter quote-tweeted the official post from Twitter Verified about the removal of the legacy verified checkmarks after losing his, writing: “Farewell blue tick, old friend. Don’t forget, always set your feed to ‘Following’ rather than ‘For You’.
“Then you’ll keep seeing the people you actually follow, and not people who’ve paid for attention.”
– Ainsley Harriott
Well, farewell legacy blue tick 🤷🏾♂️ At least it did let people know it was my verified account so this is just to say please be careful of any fake accounts and potential scams.Have a happy evening everyone – with or without your tick 😊 x pic.twitter.com/EQG6A593x4
— Ainsley Harriott (@AinsleyFoods) April 20, 2023
The chef and television presenter tweeted: “Well, farewell legacy blue tick. At least it did let people know it was my verified account so this is just to say please be careful of any fake accounts and potential scams.”
In the pinned tweet, he told people to “have a happy evening everyone – with or without your tick”.
– Jeremy Clarkson
The former Top Gear presenter – who is an active Twitter user – has also lost his blue tick.
– Matt Hancock
The former health secretary, who spent time in the Australian jungle on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! last year, has lost his tick.
– Who has paid to keep their tick?
– Nadine Dorries
The former secretary of state who now works for Talk TV has retained her blue tick because her account is “subscribed to Twitter Blue”.
– Gary Lineker
The Match Of The Day presenter has also kept his blue tick, with his profile mentioning the account is subscribed to Twitter Blue.
– Who has a different coloured tick and what does it mean?
Some Twitter users have a grey tick next to their accounts, which highlight that it is verified because “it is a government or multilateral organisation account”.
– Boris Johnson
The former prime minister’s account had an interesting journey over Thursday evening, with his blue ticket being removed completely and then changing to a grey tick.
– Rishi Sunak
The current Prime Minister has a grey tick because of his role as a government official.
– Liz Truss
The former prime minister and current MP for South West Norfolk has a grey tick beside her Twitter username.
