To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video
Linda Robson has become the latest celebrity to fall victim to a death hoax – but her response was iconic.
The Loose Women star woke up this morning to discover her death had been falsely reported, with an parody social media post spreading like wildfire.
Having now been viewed over 380,000 times, the original poster said they ‘cannot believe it’ and that they were ‘absolutely shocked’ to hear of Linda’s rumoured ‘death’.
‘She was only on Loose Women last week,’ they penned alongside a black and white photo of her.
Many took the post as gospel, with tributes pouring in for Linda, 65, as fans believed her to be dead… oops.
While a death hoax is no laughing matter, Linda did, in fact, have the last laugh.
Linda Robson is very much alive (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
Taking to Instagram in response, the actress shared a hilarious video of herself lying on the sofa, arms crossed over her chest, before ‘rising up from the dead’ and opening her eyes while the main theme from Psycho blared in the background.
Before the camera cut, she burst into a smile, proving she’s not mad about the random bout of media attention.
She wrote in her caption: ‘Woke up to lots of messages and calls, apparently there has been a rumour I had passed away going around.
‘You won’t get rid of me that easy! 😉’
In the replies, Linda’s fans and famous pals saw the funny side of it, with the likes of Julia Bradbury commenting crying laughing emoji.
‘Phew! Love seeing you darling friend ⭐️🎄’, commented Vanessa Feltz.
‘Glad you’re still alive and kicking, Linda! 🤣🤣’, joked a user named Shelley Ridler.
Annalisa James added: ‘Glad it’s just a rumour! ❤️’
Fans will also be pleased to hear a community note has been added to the original tweet announcing Linda’s ‘death’.
It reads: ‘Linda Robson will turn 66 in March. She is still alive.
‘This account frequently spreads false death reports for various celebrities.’
Indeed, the account has previous spread death rumours about Janet Street-Porter and, most famously, Denise Welch.
Denise Welch also fell victim to a death hoax just weeks ago (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
Linda’s fellow Loose Woman found herself at the centre of a very bizarre hoax just weeks ago, when stories spread that she had died after being run over.
And not run over by a car, oh no, but by the mobility scooter of Big Brother star Kerry Riches, driven by housemate Farida Khalifa.
What a story.
Clarifying that she was not deceased and that a state funeral was not happening, the Coronation Street alum tweeted ahead of an episode of I’m A Celebrity: ‘I’m alive and well and about to watch the jungle. Thanks for your concern.’
It’s safe to say 2023 has been a wild year for death hoaxes, and not just in this country.
Earlier this month, fans wrongly thought Eminem was dead after someone edited the rapper’s Wikipedia page.
It’s been a wild year for death hoaxes, with even Eminem getting caught up in a cruel prank (Picture: Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
His name quickly started trending and his supporters became very worried, leaving everyone relieved when it was revealed as a sick prank.
The most famous death hoax of the year, however, surely goes to Lil Tay.
It was reported that viral sensation Lil Tay had died at age 14, along with her brother.
The teen was claimed to have died in a ‘sudden and tragic’ death, according to a statement on her Instagram page.
But, Lil Tay later shared a message herself, slamming the announcement as a hack on her account, leading to a ‘traumatising 24 hours’.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : Strictly’s Ellie Leach declares ‘love’ for partner Vito Coppola after big win
MORE : Netflix viewers dub thriller ‘best show’ of 2023 and beg for season 2
The Loose Woman had the last laugh.