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Why celebrities love Twittering Why celebrities love Twittering
(1 day later)
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Stephen Fry on the joys - and dangers - of TwitterStephen Fry on the joys - and dangers - of Twitter
By Lizo Mzimba Entertainment correspondent, BBC News Perhaps the most significant step so far in TV presenter Jonathan Ross's media rehabilitation, after his three month suspension, was the revelation he is hosting this year's Bafta Awards in February.By Lizo Mzimba Entertainment correspondent, BBC News Perhaps the most significant step so far in TV presenter Jonathan Ross's media rehabilitation, after his three month suspension, was the revelation he is hosting this year's Bafta Awards in February.
The news did not come in the usual way though, through a press release or publicist.The news did not come in the usual way though, through a press release or publicist.
It came directly from Ross himself, through his Twitter feed.Jonathan Ross updates his Twitter messages almost dailyIt came directly from Ross himself, through his Twitter feed.Jonathan Ross updates his Twitter messages almost daily
For the uninitiated, Twitter is a micro-blogging site where people post short messages online using up to 140 characters.For the uninitiated, Twitter is a micro-blogging site where people post short messages online using up to 140 characters.
Ross is not the only celebrity participating, as Stephen Fry recently revealed he too is a regular user.Ross is not the only celebrity participating, as Stephen Fry recently revealed he too is a regular user.
Appearing as a guest on Friday Night With Jonathan Ross, he said: "It's the big thing at the moment."Appearing as a guest on Friday Night With Jonathan Ross, he said: "It's the big thing at the moment."
The star admitted he had been Tweeting - as it is called to those in the know - for three or four months. He admitted he had been Tweeting - as it is called to those in the know - for three or four months.
"I was very excited about Facebook about four years ago. But I found that I was overwhelmed by too many people."I was very excited about Facebook about four years ago. But I found that I was overwhelmed by too many people.
"Whereas, the great thing about Twitter is you can use it on your mobile phone. You just send things," he said."Whereas, the great thing about Twitter is you can use it on your mobile phone. You just send things," he said.
However, celebrities communicating with their fans online is nothing new.However, celebrities communicating with their fans online is nothing new.
ImpostersImposters
Online blogs, and networking sites, such as MySpace, have been providing this service for the past few years. Blogs, and networking sites, such as MySpace, have been providing this service for the past few years.
But the enticing thing about Twitter is its intimacy, along with its sheer ease of use.But the enticing thing about Twitter is its intimacy, along with its sheer ease of use.
It takes seconds for a celebrity to write a quick update on their mobile phone and you can even send them a direct message in response - although unsurprisingly the chances of a reply vary hugely.It takes seconds for a celebrity to write a quick update on their mobile phone and you can even send them a direct message in response - although unsurprisingly the chances of a reply vary hugely.
However, when a service is so easy to sign up to, there will always be people who choose to impersonate high profile figures.However, when a service is so easy to sign up to, there will always be people who choose to impersonate high profile figures.
TWITTER FACTS It is an online service that people can post short messages 24 hours a dayYou can also keep track of other peopleIn January, Barack Obama was the most popular person with more than 144,000 followersUsers can receive updates via websites, texts, RSS feeds or emailIt was founded in 2006 TWITTER FACTS It is an online service that people can use to post short messages 24 hours a dayYou can also keep track of other peopleIn January, Barack Obama was the most popular person with more than 144,000 followersUsers can receive updates via the website, text messages, RSS feeds or e-mailIt was founded in 2006
Genuine Twitter user Philip Schofield exposed someone who had been posing as his fellow This Morning presenter Fern Britton.Genuine Twitter user Philip Schofield exposed someone who had been posing as his fellow This Morning presenter Fern Britton.
And she is not alone. And users claiming to be everyone from veteran politician Tony Benn to the Archbishop of Canterbury have been shown to be be not the real deal.
Twitter users claiming to be everyone form veteran politician Tony Benn to the Archbishop of Canterbury have been shown to be be not the real deal.
But the number of actual celebrities is still on the rise, despite slight hiccups on the way.But the number of actual celebrities is still on the rise, despite slight hiccups on the way.
Rising pop star Little Boots, who topped the prestigious BBC's Sound of 2009 poll, dipped a toe into the world of Twitter.Rising pop star Little Boots, who topped the prestigious BBC's Sound of 2009 poll, dipped a toe into the world of Twitter.
She quickly pulled out declaring on her Twitter site: "The majority of twitter is PRs, journos and indos so she's just not playing any more, sorry." She quickly pulled out declaring on her Twitter feed: "The majority of twitter is PRs, journos and indos so she's just not playing any more, sorry."
Traditional methodsTraditional methods
The singer is in the minority, though.The singer is in the minority, though.
Month by month, more and more celebrities are embracing it.Month by month, more and more celebrities are embracing it.
Tennis star Andy Murray is a frequent updater, sharing his thoughts in the hours after his defeat at the Australian open on Monday.Tennis star Andy Murray is a frequent updater, sharing his thoughts in the hours after his defeat at the Australian open on Monday.
"Just bak from dinner. Bumpd in2 the guys from The Prodigy in hotel lobby. Tuf 2day. Fernando playd gr8 5th. .""Just bak from dinner. Bumpd in2 the guys from The Prodigy in hotel lobby. Tuf 2day. Fernando playd gr8 5th. ."
Little Boots came off Twitter when she became famousLittle Boots came off Twitter when she became famous
Actor John Cleese is also a fan:Actor John Cleese is also a fan:
"Happy New Year everyone, and may your new year's flatulence be tuneful and fragrantly innoffensive.""Happy New Year everyone, and may your new year's flatulence be tuneful and fragrantly innoffensive."
And comedian Alan Carr has extended his brand of humour onto his Twitter feed:And comedian Alan Carr has extended his brand of humour onto his Twitter feed:
"Just watched The Wrestler, loved it, i wouldn't be surprised if Donatella Versace goes on to win the Oscar. She was amazing.""Just watched The Wrestler, loved it, i wouldn't be surprised if Donatella Versace goes on to win the Oscar. She was amazing."
And for some, it is fast replacing more traditional methods for issuing information.And for some, it is fast replacing more traditional methods for issuing information.
As Ross commented on his Twitter feed:As Ross commented on his Twitter feed:
"Once all the press madness dies down I'll try to let you on twitter know about forthcoming guests and music first.""Once all the press madness dies down I'll try to let you on twitter know about forthcoming guests and music first."
So in the future for those seeking information or just a plain bit of insight into the celebrity world, Twitter could well be their first port of call.So in the future for those seeking information or just a plain bit of insight into the celebrity world, Twitter could well be their first port of call.