Comedian takes exception at former newspaper editor’s recollection of a restaurant sighting, sparking a war of words on the social networking site

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

John Cleese and Piers Morgan have kicked off the latest online celebrity spat, becoming embroiled in a nasty argument over an article the journalist-turned-chat-host wrote about crossing paths with the comedian in New York.

Morgan recalled sitting in his favourite New York restaurant, where he “ordered a fine bottle of vintage claret, sighed with almost indecent pleasure at the gastronomic delights heading my way … then turned to my left and spied Cleese at the very next table. Literally two feet away”.

The former Daily Mirror editor explained that “for one tiny nanosecond, our eyes locked in mutual shock, then equally mutual withering contempt. For the next two hours, we avoided all form of contact – physical, verbal, visual. It was magnificently British”.

Cleese hit back with a Twitter post that has been favourited more than 15,000 times, noting: “Piers Morgan writes that I didn’t recognise him in a restaurant in New York. I did. I just didn’t want to speak to someone I truly detest.”

John Cleese (@JohnCleese) Piers Morgan writes that I didn't recognise him in a restaurant in New York.I did.I just didn't want to speak to someone I truly detest

In a second tweet, the Monty Python co-founder, who has more than 4 million followers on the social networking site, added erroneously: “Anyway, I thought he was in jail after admitting he’d authorised phone-hacking at the Daily Mirror. Still, our British legal system works slowly.”

John Cleese (@JohnCleese) Anyway,I thought he was in jail after admitting he'd authorised phone-hacking at the Daily Mirror.Still,our Briish legal system works slowly

In fact, Morgan has repeatedly denied any knowledge of phone hacking at the Mirror.

In the same Daily Mail column that prompted the row, Morgan had admitted to previously bashing Cleese on Twitter for his “unfortunate personality transplant”.

“As a teenager, I thought John Cleese was a comic genius. I could recite his Monty Python ‘Cheese Sketch’ verbatim [Daily Mirror veterans will wearily confirm this talent continued into my adult, editing years…] and Basil Fawlty remains the single funniest character ever created on British television,” he wrote. “But Cleese has sadly morphed in recent years into the worst type of whining pub bore. Not quite at Hugh Grant and Steve Coogan levels of hideously sanctimonious tedium, but challenging hard.

“If he’s not trashing his ex-wives, he’s moaning incessantly about tabloid journalists – most of whom long since stopped caring what he does.”

Morgan may have been referring to Cleese joining fellow actors, including Coogan, in backing ads by activist group Avaaz that told voters to ignore rightwing election coverage from tabloids. “The fear and loathing that has come out of the Mail and the Sun this election has been hard to stomach,” Cleese said at the time.

Meanwhile, Morgan did not hold his fire following Cleese’s remarks and also used Twitter to lash out. Responding to the restaurant comment, he wrote: “No @JohnCleese, I said you DID recognise me & the revulsion was mutual.... PS. When are you going to be funny again? It’s been a few decades,” he said to his 4.5 million followers.

Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) No, @JohnCleese, I said you DID recognise me & the revulsion was mutual. Here's the column: http://t.co/72orbo7vno https://t.co/gj4ieSzvNk

Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) PS. when are you going to be funny again @JohnCleese? It's been a few decades.

Cleese responded: “Piers is now asking when I’ll be funny again. ‘It’s been a long time’. Answer: ‘Piers, when are you going to be talented. It’s been a lifetime.’”

John Cleese (@JohnCleese) Piers is now asking when I'll be funny again.'It's been a long time" Answer : "Piers,when are you going to be talented.It's been a lifetime'

Morgan then pointed out that his latest film Entourage – in which he makes a guest appearance alongside footballer Thierry Henry – is out this week. “My 7th [film] in 4yrs. How’s your film career going?” he said.

Moving on to the hacking claim, he added: “Ooooh, now you’re getting malicious & nasty @JohnCleese – do you think I’m one of your ex wives?”

Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) Ooooh, now you're getting malicious & nasty @JohnCleese - do you think I'm one of your ex wives? https://t.co/FeYm61KYhH

“My thanks to Piers M for providing me with my most successful tweet ever. 10K favour me for saying I detest him. In two hours! Thanks, twits,” Cleese said.

John Cleese (@JohnCleese) My thanks to Piers M for providing me with my most successful tweet ever. 10K favour me for saying I detest him.In two hours ! Thanks,twits

John Cleese (@JohnCleese) I see my tweet about Piers M is 'favourited' by 15,000 JC twits.Clearly I must insult the slimy,attention-seeking little prole more often

“Glad I was able to make you popular again,” Morgan chimed in.

Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) Glad I was able to make you popular again. >RT @JohnCleese My thanks to Piers M for providing me with my most successful tweet ever.

Last we checked, the men’s feud continues.

• The words ‘Python’s venom’ were removed from the headline of this article on 6 June 2015, after John Cleese pointed out that pythons are not, in fact, venomous. Members of the Pythonidae family actually kill their prey by constriction, leading to asphyxiation.