'Hardly the most embarrassing d**k Ian Botham has appeared with' - The best responses to that explicit Twitter hack
It was, we can confirm, definitely not safe for work. Or anywhere. Ever.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.We’ve been desperately trying to un-see the image that accosted our eyes when we glanced at our Twitter feeds at 09.30 this morning.
The graphic photograph, allegedly tweeted from cricketer Ian Botham’s account by a hacker, promptly informed our breakfast decision (had been full English, swiftly downgraded to Bircher) and induced a deep, stomach-churning wave of nausea that, even six hours down the line, no amount of kitten pictures seems able to cure.
It was, we can confirm, definitely not safe for work. Or anywhere. Ever. And the exact origins of said picture remain unknown – probably for the best on behalf of the copyright owner.
Cue endless streams of tweets from worried former sportsmen, cricket-based innuendo, and fluffy animals that just happen to resemble phalluses.
Here are some of the best, starting with a gentle ribbing from one-time footballer with museum-quality hair, and retired cricketer Michael Vaughn...
Then there were the retching tweets of sheer, unimaginable horror...
The opportune marketing tweets...
And of course, that really, really unfair picture of someone's dog with its legs stuck underneath a sofa. REALLY unfair:
Not that Botham seems to be that bothered, mind you. It's the most action his Twitter feed has seen in ages:
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments