Joey Barton SUED! BBC Radio 2 presenter Jeremy Vine takes legal action against ex-Premier League footballer for calling him a 'big bike nonce'

According to the Daily Mail, the BBC 2 presenter has filed a libel claim at the High Court against the former Manchester City man, with Vine saying millions have read the X post (formerly Twitter) which accused him of having a "sexual interest in children".

The ex-Bristol Rovers manager used the term "nonce" to describe Vine in posts on X between January 6-11 and referenced paedophile Rolf Harris and former ITV presenter Phillip Schofield - who had an affair with a younger male employee.

One of Barton's tweets reads: "Oh Jeremy Vine. Did you, Rolf-aroo (Rolf Harris) and [Phillip] Schofield go out on a tandem bike ride? You big bike nonce ya!"

In another tweet, Barton posted a photo of Vine on a bike and wrote: "If you see this fella by a primary school call 999."

Vine's lawyer, Gervase De Wilde KC, said: "I don't propose to open the case, but Mr Barton has been publicising this case inaccurately on his X account. Could we make clear this is a defamation and harassment case over publications by Mr Barton which have reached millions of readers, which said he had a sexual interest in children.

"Mr Barton's publications were made on X, branding Mr Vine a "nonce" and, in a number of instances, adding colour to this allegation by comparing Mr Vine to high profile predatory celebrity paedophiles and suggesting that the police should be contacted about his proximity to children.

"Mr Vine contends that the publication of this term, and related words and images, bears a seriously defamatory meaning of him, to the effect that he has a sexual interest in children."

Barton, 41, denies any wrongdoing on this matter and is being represented by William McCormack KC in this case. The ex-QPR player is also being sued for libel by former England star Eni Aluko, following a series of social media posts about her and female football pundits.