News that the U.K. has voted to leave the European Union touched off a flurry of outrage, sarcasm and joy on social media among many celebrities, including Ricky Gervais, J.K. Rowling and Elizabeth Hurley.
Hurley, who was a vocal proponent for leaving the EU, tweeted an image of herself hugging her dog after the results came in. She said it was a "long, emotional night" in another tweet.
Long, emotional night. Sweet dreams #Brexit pic.twitter.com/a2IH1f0U33
— Elizabeth Hurley (@ElizabethHurley) June 24, 2016
Pro-Brexit actress Joan Collins also celebrated the results, tweeting that "the journey of 1000 miles begins with the first step."
The journey of 1000 miles begins with the first step❤️
— Joan Collins (@Joancollinsdbe) June 24, 2016
Other celebrities were not so thrilled. "Star Wars" actor John Boyega reacted through images instead of words. He tweeted the irritated emoji, followed by a photo of the old man from "Up," waving goodbye as balloons carry his house away into the sky.
Zayn Malik was among a number of pop stars who frowned on the decision, saying it's "very sad to see society so fragmented."
It's very sad to see society so fragmented esp in terms of regions, generations and class. We need to pull together now to make it work
— zayn (@zaynmalik) June 24, 2016
— Coldplay (@coldplay) June 24, 2016
British comedian Ricky Gervais was much more verbose with his Twitter reaction. The "Office" star sarcastically tweeted about a return to "the good old days… of isolation, rampant xenophobia and our poor dying young in terrible hospitals." He also mocked those who sided with U.K. Independence Party Leader Nigel Farage and British MP Boris Johnson as "turkeys."
All the people cheering Boris & Nigel remind me of when turkeys say merry xmas to the farmer.
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) June 24, 2016
Cheer up. We'll all be dead soon and it's the next generation that will really suffer. Have a great day :)
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) June 24, 2016
At last, we can now return to the good old days. Of isolation, rampant xenophobia & our poor dying young in terrible hospitals.
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) June 24, 2016
"Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling was active on Twitter after the result was announced, retweeting messages that were critical of the economic and social impact of the Brexit.
"This is what happens when you try and fix a faulty watch with a hammer," she wrote.
This is what happens when you try and fix a faulty watch with a hammer. https://t.co/kJSLNfkNnB
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 24, 2016
Many members of the public suggested the vote was skewed by older voters who won't have to live with the long-term consequences of abandoning the EU.
Old have decided for the young but don't have to live with it. Devastating. #Brexit pic.twitter.com/dl2PDHoiuT
— Imogen Lloyd Webber (@illoydwebber) June 24, 2016
One Twitter user sarcastically tweeted the five stages of grief, with "memes" added as a sixth stage. Others got straight to the "memeing," with tongue-in-cheek references to "Spongebob Squarepants," "Pokemon" and "Thomas the Tank Engine," among other, more cutting images.
Live scenes from the Channel Tunnel #Brexit pic.twitter.com/IPET61l43f
— Rhian Sugden (@Rhianmarie) June 24, 2016
What all the #Brexit voters are thinking now. pic.twitter.com/2WWTEXz853
— Jordan (@WithinHerSkin) June 24, 2016
Explaining politics through pop culture. #Brexit pic.twitter.com/dJ1Qknb8Mz
— Liam Pomfret (@LiamPomfret) June 24, 2016
#Brexit Colonises half the world, complains about immigrants pic.twitter.com/UGDkVaaI7w
— Gabriel (@galvarezlopez) June 24, 2016
When you voted to leave the EU but you gunna die soon so it's not your problem pic.twitter.com/CXZGpOVvfj
— Medieval Reactions (@MedievalReacts) June 24, 2016
Others celebrated the results with patriotic messages, using the hashtag #IVotedLeave.
#IVotedLeave to protect British sovereignty, governed solely by its own laws, and to renew and save the NHS.
— Matt Foulkes... (@Mattfoulkes365) June 23, 2016
I hope I'm part of history.. #IVotedLeave
— Ian McCormack (@mackid27) June 23, 2016
#IVotedLeave because I want my country BACK.
— David Vance (@DVATW) June 23, 2016
#IVotedLeave because, if I had not done, then I would have betrayed their memory. pic.twitter.com/AQmkrV9uUN
— Dennis Wheatley (@DennisWheatley1) June 23, 2016
Some suggested the "Brexit" might spur other countries to leave the EU, prompting a wave of suggestions for other "Brexit"-style campaign names.
Brexit. Grexit. Departugal. Italeave. Fruckoff. Czechout. Oustria. Finish. Slovakout. Latervia. Byegium.
— Rahul Goma Phulore (@missingfaktor) June 21, 2016