Twitter direct messages not working in messages

I have searched and cannot find this topic anywhere. I cannot send Twitter direct messages from within the messages app. I have removed my acct several times and each time I reinstall it picks up my contacts, so the acct sets up fine. but regardless of the OS version (always up to date) when I start to type an address in it always comes up with "no items found". Completing the address doesn't help, I cannot leave the address field. Typing the message first doesn't help. Am I missing something?

Exact same issue here. I actually happened to notice this issue myself today and after 20 minutes scouring the internet trying to find an answer and all I ended up finding was this thread.

Can anyone help?

Discovered the reason that direct messages don't work in the message centre. They do work. You can only send them to people that follow you. Being new to Twitter I did not realize that. Hope that helps.:)