News that the U.K. has voted to leave the European Union touched off a flurry of outrage, sarcasm and joy on social media among many celebrities, including Ricky Gervais, J.K. Rowling and Elizabeth Hurley.

Hurley, who was a vocal proponent for leaving the EU, tweeted an image of herself hugging her dog after the results came in. She said it was a "long, emotional night" in another tweet.

Pro-Brexit actress Joan Collins also celebrated the results, tweeting that "the journey of 1000 miles begins with the first step."

Other celebrities were not so thrilled. "Star Wars" actor John Boyega reacted through images instead of words. He tweeted the irritated emoji, followed by a photo of the old man from "Up," waving goodbye as balloons carry his house away into the sky.

Zayn Malik was among a number of pop stars who frowned on the decision, saying it's "very sad to see society so fragmented."

British comedian Ricky Gervais was much more verbose with his Twitter reaction. The "Office" star sarcastically tweeted about a return to "the good old days鈥� of isolation, rampant xenophobia and our poor dying young in terrible hospitals." He also mocked those who sided with U.K. Independence Party Leader Nigel Farage and British MP Boris Johnson as "turkeys."

"Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling was active on Twitter after the result was announced, retweeting messages that were critical of the economic and social impact of the Brexit.

"This is what happens when you try and fix a faulty watch with a hammer," she wrote.

Many members of the public suggested the vote was skewed by older voters who won't have to live with the long-term consequences of abandoning the EU.

One Twitter user sarcastically tweeted the five stages of grief, with "memes" added as a.  Others got straight to the "memeing," with tongue-in-cheek references to "Spongebob Squarepants," "Pokemon" and "Thomas the Tank Engine," among other, more cutting images.

Others celebrated the results with patriotic messages, using the hashtag #IVotedLeave.

Some suggested the "Brexit" might spur other countries to leave the EU, prompting a wave of suggestions for other "Brexit"-style campaign names.