Joey Barton lays into 'Only Way Is Essex' "freaks" on Twitter

Joey Barton has launched a Twitter attack on the stars of The Only Way Is Essex.

The Queens Park Rangers footballer repeatedly described the ITV2 stars as "lemmings" and "helmets" after seeing them at the launch of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 last night.

Barton tweeted at the event: "Just for the record the TOWIE helmets were there, all of them together. FREAKS."

After negative responses from James Argent and Mark Wright, Barton ranted: "TOWIE firm don't mess with big boys, u and ur shallow, fake, pretentious lifestyles. In a year u'll be opening s**tty poundshops if ur lucky.

"Off to bed, keep me updated people with the TOWIE blerts, all thats wrong with the world that mob, I'll take great pleasure in abusing them.

"I actually despise the whole of that firm, mentally deficient, turn up at the opening of an envelope, fame hungry, prized ball bags. #TOWIE"

Today, Barton insulted Maria Fowler, who was upset by his comments. He said: "Sorry which one are u, the prostitute? the whale? the hippo? or the extra? Dont know who u are? Whats the goin rate for the full works these days? #brass."

The 29-year-old had kinder words for Kirk Norwood, adding: "The only one whose alright is Kirk?? He's like my favourite. When I say favourite, its like if u had to pick a sexually transmitted disease!"