Everyone’s favourite Englishman Stephen Fry appears to have left the world of Instagram behind.
The actor, presenter and author, who joined Instagram in June 2013, posted a the below image on Monday. His profile now reads “Hounded off. Goodbye”
Fry also broke hearts on social media in November when he announced he would be leaving Twitter. At that time, we published a Stephen Fry Twitter Retrospective to reflect on the good times, and it seems only fitting that we make it a tradition and look back over our favourite moments from Stephen Fry’s Instagram account. Put on Andrea Bocelli’s ‘Con Te Partiro’ in the background to really complete the experience. Â
Cardinal Sin A photo posted by Stephen Fry (@stephenfryactually) on
Ah, humble beginnings. This was Fry’s second ever Instagram post, offered with no explanation, but merely the caption ‘Cardinal Sin’. In what scenario would Stephen Fry, with his reputation for politeness and decorum, deem it appropriate to don this attire accessorised with a flogger? We can only imagine.
Here Fry participates in the cultural zeitgeist by sharing his appreciation of kale. Only two months before this post, the vegetable itself finally came out as gay in an exclusive interview with Buzzfeed after Madonna caused controversy by speculating on its sexuality. As an outspoken LGBT advocate, it is fitting that Fry would throw his support behind the leafy green. Â
Interval … A photo posted by Stephen Fry (@stephenfryactually) on
In his typically nonchalant fashion, Fry illustrates how he has remained popular throughout a decades-long career in the public eye. His theatrical costume and iPhone are the perfect mix of ancient tradition and new innovation. Some would call it anachronistic, but those who are truly familiar with Stephen Fry’s work will know that it is for this delicate blending of classical art and modern technology that Fry frequently advocates.
In this brief, yet graceful clip of Havana’s National Ballet School, Fry harnesses modern technology to bring a new perspective on an ancient art form. It is seven seconds, and yet, it is also several centuries. Â
A photo posted by Stephen Fry (@stephenfryactually) on
And here is Fry’s penultimate Instagram post. In this self portrait, Fry deifies himself with a golden crown of fruit and yet simultaneously ridicules himself with the self-deprecating caption ‘Mr Bananahead’. Is Fry subverting the oft egotistical nature of self-portraiture through the playful use of the banana and its associations with simians or simply playing with an iPhone? Sadly, we can but dream of finding out.
Sophie Joske