Irish celebs react to losing verified status on Twitter as blue ticks removed

Many Irish celebrities have reacted to the loss of the blue tick on their Twitter accounts.

The blue tick, which is used to grant verified status to Twitter accounts, was removed from a host of famous people's accounts overnight including Brian O'Driscoll, U2 and Niall Horan alike.

In order to retain the blue tick, known as legacy verification checkmarks, Twitter users must opt-in to Twitter Blue, and pay a monthly or yearly subscription.

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Twitter Blue would cost Irish Twitter users €11.00 per month or €114.99 for the year, and they then need to meet all the eligibility criteria to receive the blue checkmark.

However, many celebrities are choosing not to pay the subscription and are instead seeing their blue tick disappear.

Well-known Irish personalities shared their reaction to the change on the social media platform, with RTE journalist (and potential future Late Late Show host) Sarah McInerney writing: "I’m blue-tickless!"

Brian O'Driscoll drew his own blue tick on his Twitter account after it was removed (Twitter@BrianODriscoll)

Comedian PJ Gallagher appeared to celebrate the loss of his blue tick, writing: "Thank God I can’t be accused of being loopy enough to pay for a blue tick anymore."

TV presenter Laura Whitmore, who has put a lightning bolt beside her name on Twitter, wrote: "Much prefer my lightning bolt than the blue tick to be honest. Also are people still using Twitter, genuine question let me know?!!"

And former professional Irish rugby player Brian O'Driscoll had the last laugh as he re-drew his own blue tick after it was removed.

He posted a screenshot of the DIY blue tick on his Twitter page as he joked in the caption: "Held onto it!"

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