iMessage gif search no longer working

Today I have noticed that the gif/#images search has stopped working. All searches result in "No results for "xxxxxx"" message on screen. Searches that previously yielded results no longer work so this is not an issue with what I am searching for. No initial suggestions are even loaded.

My friend who is using an iPhone6 is having exactly the same issue today.

Anyone else seeing the same thing in UK?

Richard