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talkSPORT's presenting team descended into an astonishing war of words after Mike Parry publicly claimed colleague Jim White suffered from 'chronic historic drinking problems'.

Parry, a veteran of the station since 1999, then laid into Joey Barton – another colleague – calling the former Rangers and Manchester City midfielder a 'thick-headed hypocrite' after he had labelled his White comments as a 'low blow'.

Barton went on to imply that Parry's Twitter outburst had been drink-fuelled, calling him a 'complete bell***' and a 'muppet'.

Parry has since apologised for his allegations against White but Sportsmail understands talkSPORT management are speaking to Parry and he will not be presenting his usual slot on his 'The Two Mikes' show this weekend.  

Mike Parry and Joey Barton rowed on Twitter in an astonishing talkSPORT war of words

Barton stood up to condemn Parry's comments on fellow presenter and colleague Jim White

talkSPORT presenter Parry claimed colleague White had 'historic drinking problems'

Former Rangers midfielder and fellow presenter Barton condemned Parry's comments

Parry picked up on Barton's history of controversy to fire back insults during the online row

The row appeared to erupt after renowned Sky Sports News presenter White had spoken out over Everton's 4-1 defeat at Southampton on Sunday, labelling the game a 'totally wasted 476-mile round trip for those travelling fans'.

Parry, an enthusiastic Evertonian, took exception to the comment – believing it mocked his club's travelling support.

However, after two tweets labelling how White was 'a joke' and 'a fool', he added: 'Thing is Jim @JimWhite with your chronic historic drink problems .. and you've asked me to help you and I've told you I will .. should you be slagging off anybody else .. Everton .. heh?'

In 2012 the Daily Record reported that White, who hosts his own flagship talkSPORT show, was banned from boarding a British Airways flight at Glasgow Airport amid claims he had been drinking.

In 2005 he was fined £750 and banned from driving for a year after admitting a charge of refusing to take a breathalyser test having allegedly told police officers: 'I'm providing f***ing zero.'

Former Rangers and Manchester City midfielder Barton is pictured in the talkSPORT studios

Parry's tweets came in response to White's Twitter posts about a defeat for his team, Everton

Barton continued to trade insults with colleague Parry as they reflected on the night before

Barton stepped in to defend White, calling Parry's comments 'a low blow... even by your standards' and mocked his fellow presenter over an old video that showed him attempting to complete the 'Cinnamon Challenge' - eating a spoonful of cinnamon.

But Parry hit back again later in evening, writing: 'You're (sic) only claim to fame Barton is sticking a cigar in a teenager's eye, smashing a man's face in while he was unconscious on the ground .. serving a jail sentence.'

In May 2008, Barton was jailed for assault after he was caught on CCTV knocking a man to the ground before straddling him and repeatedly punching him in December 2007.

He has also admitted to stubbing a cigar out into the eyelid of ex-Manchester City player Jamie Tandy.

Parry issued an apology to White, adding that he had 'bravely battled and beaten illness'

Barton looked ahead to the radio station's Christmas party after the online war of words

Parry apologised and deleted his tweets directed at White on Monday morning but the messages still remain on his linked Facebook account.

He wrote: 'I want to apologise to my colleague @JimWhite for referring dismissively to an illness he has suffered .. and battled bravely and beaten. Sorry Jim. Very wrong of me.' 

Parry's comments about Barton are still present online and the subject of the tweets later added: 'Saw you apologising this morning for being a complete bell*** again in a bevvy. When you get on the sauce, stay off Twitter you muppet.'

talkSPORT has been contacted for comment.