Stephen Fry has come to the defence of BBC Olympics presenter Alex Scott after she was criticised for her accent by a member of the House of Lords.
Lord Digby Jones accused the former England and Arsenal footballer of an "inability to pronounce her g's" while she was hosting the Beeb's highlights programme.
The 65-year-old former businessman tweeted that Scott "needs elocution lessons", sparking a huge debate on Twitter.
Scott, who made 140 appearances for England and represented Team GB at the 2012 London Olympics, hit back at the crossbench peer.
The 36-year-old said: "I'm from a working-class family in East London, Poplar, Tower Hamlets and I am PROUD.
"Proud of the young girl who overcame obstacles, and proud of my accent! It’s me, it’s my journey, my grit.”
She added: “A quick one to any young kids who may not have a certain kind of privilege in life. Never allow judgments on your class, accent, or appearance hold you back.
"Use your history to write your story. Keep striving, keep shining and don’t change for anyone.”
Many people on Twitter had their say on the spat, including actor, author and former QI host Stephen Fry.
He tweeted Lord Jones: “You are everything linguists and true lovers of language despise. Also, since we’re being picky, you are not ‘Lord Digby Jones’, you are Digby, Lord Jones.
"There’s a world of difference. But however you’re titled, you disgrace the upper house with your misplaced snobbery.”
Lord Digby Jones has not yet replied to his comments.
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