Broadcaster Rylan Clark was among the celebrities left baffled after waking up to find that his Twitter blue tick had been reinistated. It appears Twitter accounts with more than a million followers have had blue ticks reinstated by owner Elon Musk without having to pay a subscription fee, leaving users confused.
Business magnate Elon removed all 'legacy' blue ticks from accounts this week, leaving celebrities and other significant public figures without the verified tick. Instead he began a paid subscription service, costing from £67 a year, where accounts can sign up for 'Twitter Blue' to add the check mark. Before the platform was taken over by Elon in October, the blue tick was a badge of verification given for free by Twitter and used as a tool of authentication.
On Sunday morning BBC Radio 2 presenter Rylan, who is presenting the BBC's Eurovision 2023 coverage on the station, tweeted: "Hold up. Why is my blue tick back?" Sharing a picture of himself in his dressing gown looking confused he said: "I’m ill and this is pranging me oouuuut."
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@WorkoutWoman23 told him: "When I click on it it tells me you’ve subscribed to Twitter blue?" But author @EmmaKennedy replied: "He’s given back tick to people with over 1m followers without making distinction none of you have paid for it."
@mrchrisfloyd said: "If you have more than 1m followers, you’ll automatically have the tick." Zena Lalita said: "Elon selected a few main celebs for a blue tick. You are a chosen one. " And @condorchrissy cheered: "Everyone with over a million followers gets their blue tick back Rylan yay!"
@slinehan1 explained: "Everyone with over 1 million followers gets theirs back automatically." @emshawy reassured: "Lots saying the same this morning Rylan." And @ablegirl said: "You deserve it back youre a sweetheart Rylan!!"
Author Richard Osman also took to Twitter to point out that his blue tick had reappeared. "So my blue tick is back," he said. "Rest assured I didn't pay for it."
He continued: "Providing content has always been the entry price to use Twitter. And in return you let me bang on about my books or Fulham. By and large I love this site, and I've always been happy with that deal. I haven't, and wouldn't, pay for it though."
Former Manchester United footballer and pundit Gary Neville was also chosen. He exclaimed: "They gave me my blue tick back! I won the power struggle!!!" He clapped back at one Twitter user who remarked: It’s hilarious how all these ‘celebrities’ are claiming their blue ticks just reappeared without paying, as they think it makes them look better. Embarrassing." Gary shared the remark as he corrected: "Errrrr it did just reappear my friend."
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