Ed Balls day: Ed Balls goes for a walk

Ed Balls Day update: Ed Balls goes for a walk

Ed Balls Day update: Ed Balls goes for a walk

Ed Balls looked set to avoid Twitter's celebration of Ed Balls day today, when he told his followers on social media he was going for a walk.

The tongue-in-cheek celebration comes on the second anniversary of a now-infamous tweet sent by the shadow chancellor, in which he mistakenly tweeted his own name in an effort to find out what was being said about him.

"Crazy as it is, I hope you all have a fabulous day – I'm off out now for a long Sunday walk…" Balls wrote this morning.

Meanwhile, Ed Balls was trending on Twitter, with several individuals and outlets tweeting simply: "Ed Balls."

Former deputy prime minister John Prescott kicked off proceedings this morning by changing his profile picture to one for the MP for Morley and Outwood and tweeting: "Ed Balls."

The original Ed Balls tweet has now been retweeted over 15,000 times and has been imitated countless times.

It has become something akin to an international sensation, with jokes on the theme appearing as far away as Sydney.

A London Underground whiteboard was recently photographed with the words 'Ed Balls' written on it.

"Sorry … But this is getting really weird," Balls tweeted in response.

The shadow chancellor completed the London marathon last weekend, raising £100,000 for charity.