The host of the British Academy awards has gone offline after responding to those offended by a joke he made about costume designer Jenny Beavan

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

Stephen Fry has deleted his Twitter account, in the wake of his angry response to those criticising a joke he made during Sunday’s Bafta awards ceremony.

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The actor, who has hosted the ceremony since 2001, referred to costume design award-winner Jenny Beavan’s appearance after she left the stage, which caused offence online. “Only one of the great cinematic costume designers would come to an awards ceremony dressed as a bag lady,” he joked.

After users tweeted him their distaste, he angrily responded in a number of updates, reminding people that Beavan is a close friend of his and she was aware of his intention. He wrote: “Will all you sanctimonious fuckers fuck the fuck off Jenny Beavan is a friend and joshing is legitimate. Christ I want to leave the planet”.

Fry continued to argue with users during the night and retweet those who were supporting him. He also shared a picture of himself and Beavan, with the caption: “Jenny Baglady Beavan and Stephen Outrageous Misogynist Swine Fry at the #EEBAFTAs after party”.

Photograph: Twitter

Fry was also criticised on Twitter for his Eddie Redmayne introduction: “He has been a man trapped in his own body, a woman trapped in a man’s body and, if I had my way, a man trapped in my basement.”

Today saw him release a statement on his official website, expressing his happiness at being free from Twitter, a platform he referred to as “a stalking ground for the sanctimoniously self-righteous who love to second-guess, to leap to conclusions and be offended”.

He called the decision “a massive relief” and said he felt “free at last”.

“But you’ve let the trolls and nasties win!” he wrote. “If everyone did what you did, Stephen, the slab-faced dictators of tone and humour would have the place to themselves. Well, yes and they’re welcome to it. Perhaps then they’ll have nothing to smell but their own smell.”

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Fry has received support from other celebrities on Twitter, including Rebel Wilson, who also came under fire for her transgender and race jokes.

David Baddiel (@Baddiel) @StephenFry outrage confers identity on the anonymous, unfortunately..it's the curse of here. Well done tonight, grand job.

Matt Lucas (@RealMattLucas) @stephenfry Didn't you get the memo? No-one is allowed to do jokes anymore.

Rebel Wilson (@RebelWilson) Had amazing time @ BAFTA's tonight x props to @stephenfry for hosting brilliantly & to all those diverse members! 😜 pic.twitter.com/ZlC6xC8kiM

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It has not been confirmed whether Fry will return to host the Baftas next year. The night’s big winners included Leonardo DiCaprio and Brie Larson, as best actor and actress while The Revenant won best picture. But despite the starry turnout, which also included Tom Cruise and Julianne Moore, the audience for this year’s ceremony has been the worst in six years. The ratings saw just 4.5 million people tune in, down from 4.9 million last year.