Stephen Fry quits Twitter over 'bag lady' backlash

BAFTA host Stephen Fry hit out at critics on Twitter who labelled his 'bag lady' call offensive. Photo / Getty

Stephen Fry has deleted his Twitter account in the wake of the furore surrounding his "bag lady" joke about Jenny Beavan at the Baftas on Sunday night.

The 58-year-old actor-and-writer made the gag in reference to what Jenny wore to the ceremony after she collected her award for Costume Design for her work on Mad Max: Fury Road.

As Beavan left the stage, Fry quipped: "Only one of the great cinematic costume designers would come to the awards ceremony dressed like a bag lady."

His comment drew an avalanche of criticism from Twitter users who were quick to condemn the comic star for what he said.

Fry went on to the social networking site to inform the irate web mob that he and Beavan are old friends and she was in on the joke at the Baftas - which were held at The Royal Opera House in London.

He tweeted: "So just a word to the tragic figures who think calling Jenny Beavan a bag lady was an insult. She's a dear friend and she got it. Derrr

"Will all you sanctimonious f***ers f**k the f**k off Jenny Beavan is a friend and joshing is legitimate. Christ I want to leave the planet."

And going into more detail about their relationship, he wrote: "We worked together on Gosford Park & Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows. She's more grown up & strong than you are (sic)."

But after his attempt to set the record straight seemingly didn't work, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies star made the call to close his Twitter account down.

This is not the first time Fry has quit Twitter - only to eventually return.

In 2010 he logged off after being heavily criticised for claiming women didn't like sex as much as gay men in an interview.

And in 2009 he left the online platform for a time in the wake of a row with another user admitting he had become tired of the "aggression and unkindness" on the site.

- Bang! Showbiz