BBC deletes Will Ferrell story after being fooled by fake twitter account

The Hollywood actor did attend the QPR vs Sunderland football match but is not on social media.

Albertina Lloyd
·Contributor
Updated ·2 min read
Will Ferrell poses for a photo with the match ball prior to the Premier League match between Manchester City and Aston Villa at Etihad Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty - Manchester City/Manchester City FC via Getty Images)
Will Ferrell's identity was being used by a parody account under the new Twitter blue tick system. (Getty Images)

The BBC have removed a story about Will Ferrell from its news website after being taken in my a fake Twitter account.

The news service ran a report on the Hollywood actor apologising to Sunderland football fans after Queens Park Rangers lost 3-0 at Loftus Road, London.

QPR fan Ferrell, who was in the crowd to watch the match, had said: "Sunderland – oh, the tears of sorrow you’re going to experience tonight dripping down your face into your mouth drowning you in sorrow, I can only imagine."

Screenshot of the BBC headline about Will Ferrell based on a parody Twitter account.
The BBC has removed the story and apologised. (BBC)

The BBC then ran a story with the headline “QPR fan and actor Will Ferrell apologises for mocking Sunderland fans."

Watch: Will Ferrell taunted Sunderland fans ahead of the match

It quoted a tweet from the account @OfficialWilllF which read: "Haway man, sorry @SunderlandAFC", alongside a screenshot of his "tears of sorrow" comment.

Read more: Ryan Reynolds vows to bring Will Ferrell to a Wrexham home match

The BBC said: “In a BBC News Online article, we incorrectly stated QPR fan and actor Will Ferrell apologised for mocking Sunderland fans. A quote was taken from a verified Twitter account, but it was not made by the actor. We have removed the article in its entirety since it was based wholly on the apology.”

While the account has been verified by Twitter with a blue tick the BBC failed to recognise it is a parody account.

Will Ferrell in the stands ahead of the Sky Bet Championship match at Loftus Road, London. Picture date: Tuesday February 14, 2023. (Photo by Zac Goodwin/PA Images via Getty Images)
Will Ferrell cheers on his team QPR against Sunderland. (Getty Images)

The Twitter profile has a picture of Ferrell and says it belongs to "Will Ferrell, Comedian, actor, impressionist (parody)."

Since Elon Musk took over the social media platform in 2022 he introduced premium service Twitter Blue, whereby users can purchase a blue tick verification for a monthly or annual subscription.

Read more: Quiz! Match the celebrity to the football team they support

The blue tick was previously issued to users on application as proof of an 'official' account, or dependant on the number of followers.

Will Ferrell interacts with Gary Neville, Micah Richards and Roy Keane prior to the Premier League match between Manchester City and Aston Villa at Etihad Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty - Manchester City/Manchester City FC via Getty Images)
Will Ferrell appeared on Sky Sports ahead of the Manchester City Vs Aston Villa match. (Getty Images)

Elf star Ferrell is big soccer fan and partly owns LAFC in Los Angeles.

He has been on a football tour of the UK, attending matches around the country, including Wrexham against Wealdstone, Manchester City's game with Aston Villa and Liverpool Vs Everton.

Read more: The Kinks ask Elon Musk to help end Twitter warnings on their tweets

He regularly takes part in charity football competition Soccer Aid.

Watch: Will Ferrell teases Gary Neville at football match

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