by Gillian Taber

Created on: June 03, 2009   Last Updated: August 18, 2009

What is Twitter? The latest fad to hit the Internet community, Twitter boils down to writing messages of no more than 140 characters and then posting them on the Internet. This can be done via a computer or through a mobile/hand held device. It has been referred to as SMS for the Internet. Messages are known as Tweets and people subscribe to each other and follow their comments in real-time.

The Internet is a difficult place to judge the authenticity of purported celebrity messaging but amongst the top ten who have been shown to be genuine are:

Ashton Kutcher - Recently attained top position by becoming the first celebrity with one million followers which came about when he challenged CNN to a popularity race. Kutcher has been quoted as saying that Twitter "is removing filters between celebrities and fans, big media companies and their customers."

Stephen Fry - Perhaps the biggest UK celebrity Twitter member who currently has 533540 followers. Famous for getting stuck in a lift and using Twitter to tell everyone about it. To quote the man himself "Ok. This is now mad. I am stuck in a lift on the 26th floor of Centre Point. Hell's teeth. We could be here for hours."

Britney Spears - Standing at 1667072 followers and claiming to be the genuine article although the small print does point out that posts can be from her team, her website and "yes, even Britney herself'. An example of a typical comment being "Dave Meyers is directing my Radar video- it's going to be sick! Britney"

Lance Armstrong - Celebrity cyclist and cancer fighter (to quote his Twitter site) who currently has 966368 followers. The 7 time Tour de France winner posts such nuggets as "Mornin' Twitterat. All is well here. Drinking coffee and reading the NYT and WSJ. The Chinese now own Hummer. They can have it".

Shaquille O'Neal - With 1133717 followers, The Real Shaq, basketball star and actor, has an interesting comment on his page; "VERY QUOTATIOUS, I PERFORM RANDOM ACTS OF SHAQNESS". At the time of writing, his latest Tweet reads; "my pt exactly" in reference to a comment by one of his followers.

John Cleese - The ex-Python and actor has 181380 followers at this point in time. His mini bio is typical of his humor and reads "Yes, I am still indeed alive, contrary to rumour, and I am making video podcasts". A current Tweet states "Thanks so much those wise, beautiful people who signed up for my Nigerian Lottery". Perhaps you have to be a follower to understand...

MC Hammer - A somewhat

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