Under-fire BAFTA host Stephen Fry is to leave the UK and relocate to Los Angeles with his husband Elliot Spencer, according to reports.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5o2TsSVf8E

Elliot Spencer, who married the Norfolk comedian in 2015, told The Sun that they are moving to Los Angeles and are in talks to buy a house in the Californian city.

Spencer added that he intends to apply for a green card and the couple are excited about having a new base.

It comes after Fry quit Twitter on Monday following a backlash over his 'bag lady' comment towards Jenny Beavan at the BAFTAs.

In response to his decision to the leave the social media site, Fry posted a lengthy blog post saying he 'doesn't feel anything other than massive relief' and that he is 'free at last'.

He said Twitter had become a 'stalking ground', and pointed out that no matter what was being defended the 'ghastliness is absolutely the same'.

Near the end of his post, he said despite the minority of 'foul people' on Twitter, he felt his tipping point had been reached.

The end of his blog explained his feeling of relief, 'like a boulder rolling off my chest'.

The 58-year-old found himself at the centre of a social media storm after the BAFTAs when branded one of the winners a 'bag lady'.

Jenny Beavan, who won the costume design award for her work on Mad Max: Fury Road, took to the stage in trousers, a leather jacket and a scarf.

After she collected the award Fry said: 'Only one of the great cinematic costume designers would come to an awards dressed as a bag lady.'

The dig drew mixed reactions from the audience, with some booing, and many Twitter users were unimpressed saying the comment was 'misjudged' and 'uncalled for'.

Fry later responded to his critics in a series of tweets, saying: 'So just a word to the tragic figures who think calling Jenny Beavan a bag lady was an insult. She's a dear friend and she got it. Derrr.'

It is the third time he has left the site, after a break in 2014 when he said he was filming in a place 'whence I've been advised it is safest not to tweet', and then from February to May last year when he announced he would be 'taking a holiday from Twitter'.