Singer Ellie Goulding has kicked off a fiery online row with Katie Hopkins over the idea of Italy leaving the EU.

It appears that Ellie threw the first punch, telling the columnist to “delete her account” after she posted an “Italia Exit EU” graphic with the caption: “ITALEXIT!! Another one falls – welcome back to the lira. Ciao ciao to the E.U. …how’s your day going Miss Merkel?”

Katie made a personal hit-back at the comment, posting: “Ellie. It is never going to happen. Stop talking now lovely, that pitch sets the dogs off.”

But Ellie took things a step further, apparently suggesting a physical fight as she posted a picture of a rubbish bag in a tweet reading: “Taking the trash out, suitably apt #ByeKatie #Fancysomesparring.”

When a follower suggested that the challenge would make good material for a charity boxing match, the singer confidently added: “I’m so, so down. However it wouldn’t make for great tv because it would be over in seconds.”

Ellie’s fans have been quick to lend their online support to the star, launching more attacks on the controversial writer.

One follower tweeted: “(I) think the whole nation would be rooting for you Ellie!”

Another posted: “Don’t mind her, Ellie. She’s not worth it, you are a world famous singer meanwhile she’s… well, whoever she is.”

It seems that things quietened down pretty quickly after Katie apparently stopped short of posting a selfie in boxing gloves, so we are not entirely sure who earned the right to drop the mic after this one…