One of Britain's oldest newspapers has called for Boaty McBoatface to be chosen as the name for a new polar research ship.
The Times today urged science minister Jo Johnson to heed the public's will and christen Britain's latest naval asset with the name chosen by 124,000 people.
Editors said that Johnson, who yesterday suggested it was not a "suitable" moniker, should "accept the will of the electorate and bow to the name Boaty McBoatface".
They added: "This witty name is a better reflection of the British sense of humour."
Times editors argued that not only had Boaty's runaway win amused the country, but that its name being adorned on the Natural Environment Research Council's new vessel would "heighten longterm interest in the important research that the vessel will undertake into global warming and rising sea levels".
They added that Navy chiefs should take heed from the incident, so they did not risk being forced to unveil a new aircraft carrier named 'Warship McWarface'.
Despite the man who originally put Boaty's forward in the online vote apologising for the storm he had created, more support for the suggestion could be found in today's newspapers.
The final five as polling closed
- RRS Boaty McBoatface - 124,109
- RRS Poppy-Mai - 34,371
- RRS Henry Worsley - 15,231
- RRS It’s bloody cold here - 10,679
- RRS David Attenborough - 10,284
A reader who's letter appeared in the Metro said the name was "fantastic" and added that if it broadened the appeal of environmental studies to children then he wished Boaty every success.
"When I first heard of it a few weeks ago I thought it was such a silly name, but now I think it's fantastic," reader Glen, wrote.
"Teaching is about awareness and inspiration, and if this name inspires children to go down the lifelong path of environmental studies, or just being sensible with our world, well good luck to Boaty McBoatface."
The Sun also used a news article on Johnson's interview yesterday to call him a "killjoy".
While a column in the Express by former editor Peter HIll said that initial "universal horror" at Boaty's success had subsided, leaving him "starting to love it".
Boaty was announced as the winner of the NERC poll on Saturday, consigning second-place to RRS Poppy-Mai - named after a 16-month-old girl with incurable cancer.
The RRS Henry Worsley, named in honour of the explorer who died trying to make the first unassisted solo crossing of the Antarctic in January, was the third most popular with more than 15,000 votes.
Some of the more unusual suggestions included: RRS Onion Knight, RRS I Like Big Boats & I Cannot Lie, and RRS Capt’n Birdseye Get Off My Cod.
The RRS Bowie, RRS Kanye West and RRS The Miss Cilla Black were also floated as possible names.