News of the World closure: Celebrity Twitter reactions

Following confirmation that the News of the World is to close this Sunday, a number of celebrities have tweeted their reaction to the reports.

The publication will cease to exist after allegations about phone hacking, police payment and a mass desertion of advertisers.

George Michael: "Today is a fantastic day for Britain. These beliefs are in no way an excuse for any of my behaviour in recent times. I was happy to do my time, because I was so ashamed. But... I believe every individual, whether privileged or the average citizen, deserves the law. And many of us rich or poor have been denied it by News International.You gotta have faith in Karma. Today it's very real. And i hope the families of Milly Dowler and all the others who died...."

Piers Morgan, former News of the World editor: "Shocked and saddened by closure of the News of the World. Scandals of past week indefensible, but has been a great British newspaper."

> James Murdoch backs Rebekah Brooks after News of the World closure
> News of the World closure is "sad", says Max Clifford

Critic Charlie Brooker: "Starting to wonder if Rebekah Brooks literally owns some kind of nuclear bomb. Feels like the tatters of [her] reputation are being scooped up and tattered again. Soon they'll be down to an atomic level."

Actor Simon Pegg: "To put the NotW thing in bastardised geek speak ... 'Sometimes the needs of the many [are outweighed] by the needs of the few, or the one'."

ITV presenter Phillip Schofield: "I feel sorry for the majority of good, honest people who will loose their jobs on the paper. Is it the sacrifice of a pawn to save a king? One things pretty sure, tonight is probably the safest night in years to leave an incriminating voicemail!! Will we see The Sunday Sun in it's place?"

Discussing rumours about a Sun on Sunday, presenter Richard Madeley wrote: "I don't think a Sunday Sun would succeed as things stand - people aren't stupid. But I'm sure this is all about protecting the BSkyB buyout."

Channel 4 News presenter Jon Snow said: "Watch for the Sunday Sun the Sunday after the News of the World dies this weekend?...at the rising of The Sun a going down of the scandal?"

Music producer Mark Ronson compared News International's chief executive to the creative director of US Vogue, tweeting: "Rebekah Brooks comes off a bit like grace coddington's amoral bizarro twin."

Singer Lily Allen: "Rebekah Brooks must have something on the Murdochs, or she gave them a really nice christmas present."

Ex-Oasis singer Noel Gallagher: "It's probably the most gross an infringement of people's civil liberties as there is ever likely to be, particularly in the case of that young girl who died. It's the dark side of the media."

Singer Example: "The News of the World is being shut down?? How is Kerry Katona gonna feed her kids!?"

> Danny Baker attacks Milly Dowler reports: "Rot in hell, hacks"
> Glenn Mulcaire blames News of the World pressure for phone hacking

Comedian Rufus Hound: "No-one who bought NotW did so because it appealed to them intellectually, no? Don't worry. The Star's still going."

Apprentice legend Stuart Baggs: "Hi, you've reached the voicemail of Andy Coulson. Sorry I can't answer the phone right now, I've been arrested."

Comic John Bishop: "News Of The World - glad to see you gone but you have to feel sorry for Ryan Giggs-if he could have held on a few a more weeks!!!!"