Former Daily Mirror editor Piers Morgan became involved in his second Twitter exchange with the regional press in a matter of days after misspelling an editor’s hometown.
Northern Echo editor Peter Barron took to the social networking site to correct Piers, who had misspelled ‘Middlesbrough’, with an ironic reply deliberately misspelling Piers’s own name.
However Peter’s tongue-in-cheek response was lost on some of the social networking site’s users, including Piers himself.
As previously reported on HTFP, Piers was involved in a Twitter spat with The Argus, Brighton, after claiming he delivered more copies of the daily during his time as a paper boy than are now sold across its entire patch.
The latest argument came after Piers’ beloved Arsenal were drawn against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup Fifth Round.
However ‘Pierce’, as he was addressed by Peter, creatively added an extra ‘o’ to make ‘Middlesborough’.
Peter wrote: “Brilliant! Pierce Morgan doesn’t know how to spell Middlesbrough. What an Arse…nal.”
Piers, not realising the joke, simply responded: “Oh dear, Peter.”
In a blog post following the exchange, Peter wrote: “What did I learn last night? That Twitter doesn’t do irony – and that you can get your fingers burned if you’re not careful.
“Middlesbrough, who knocked out Manchester City in the FA Cup, were drawn against Arsenal in the fifth round and celebrity Gunners’ fan Piers Morgan tweeted about how sorry he was to see Middlesbrough coming to the end of their cup run.
“Unfortunately, the former Daily Mirror editor made an error which is common among those who seldom venture north of Watford, spelling it as ‘Middlesborough’.
“As a Boro lad born and bred myself, I was moved to take the mickey out of Piers, who boasts a paltry 4,348,358 followers.”
He added: “With hindsight, perhaps I should have added a second spelling mistake to his name to emphasise the irony but even that might have sailed over some Twitter heads.”
Sign up for our free daily email bulletin
Follow HTFP on Twitter
Got a story? Email the Editor at
What Piers said about Argus was factually rubbish, although its sales are sadly dismal. But then he did edit a tabloid.
Report this comment
This story has all the right elements – regular guys talking about how many Twitter followers they have, spelling mistakes, football, Piers Morgan AND Peter Barron.
But strangely I find it all a bit sad. Is it me?
Report this comment
Mr Baron (irony) should look at his own paper before he starts highlighting others spelling mistakes.
Report this comment
It’s not worked, i’ve not read the story. Just saying so at least one person can be added to the ‘not bothered’ camp.
Report this comment
Can anyone explain to me how people tweeting utter guff is news? In any news outlet?
Report this comment
Peter Barron really shouldn’t worry about criticism from anyone whose IQ is smaller than his hat size. Keep up the good work, Peter.
Report this comment
Does Piers Morgan serve any useful purpose?
Report this comment
Can’t see why Mr Barron is getting so fussed about this…
Piers has done well for himself in the business and we all make mistakes.
Report this comment