Top tweeter: Britain's 100 most influential Twitter users presented by i newspaper
i, the Independent’s spin-out newspaper, has presented the most influential tweeters in Britain. The top ten are as follows:
1. Sarah Brown (campaigner)
2. Richard Bacon (broadcaster)
3. Eddie Izzard (comedian)
4. Stephen Fry (comedian / national treasure)
5. Umair Haque (economist)
6. Russell Brand (comedian)
7. Tinchy Stryder (musician)
8= Hilary Alexander (fashion director)
8= Zee M Kane (technocrat)
10. Fearne Cotton (radio presenter)
A few surprises there, starting with Sarah Brown, Gordon Brown’s wife, in the top spot. Possibly a new name for many is corporate strategist and blogger Umair Haque, ditto Zee M Kane, editor-in-chief at ‘The Next Web’.
This is the first time ever that the most influential, rather than most followed, tweeters have been ranked. The i paper worked with PeerIndex to compile the list, basing the outcome on the number of re-tweets each person generated, and the language associated with their mentions.
‘Five years ago, Twitter was regarded as a passing fad. Today it is a phenomenon, influencing world events and news stories in every sphere of life. This inaugural list recognises the power of Twitter and those with the most influence,’ says Independent and i Editor-in-Chief Simon Kelner.
You can see the full list here.
Boris Johnson is the highest-ranking politician (36=), followed by former MP Dr Evan Harris (66=), Tom Watson, Labour MP for West Bromwich East, (68) and John Prescott (93). Sally Bercow, wife of the Speaker of the House, is included at number 91.
Sir Alan Sugar (14=) beats rival Piers Morgan (61=), while model and business woman Katie Price is at number 88 (=). Tinchy Stryder (7) is the highest music entry, followed Lily Allen (36=) and Mark Ronson (97). Three out of five Dragon’s Den presenters are included: Duncan Bannatyne (12=), Theo Paphitis (54=) and Peter Jones (77=).
The academic side is held up by evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins (22=) and Tim Harford (20=) of The Undercover Economist / and the Financial Times. Sportsmen include cricketer Michael Vaughan (91) and footballer Rio Ferdinand (95).
