In today’s digital age, no celebrity is safe from the strange and often bizarre world of death hoaxes.
Thanks to social media, false news spreads at lightning speed, leaving fans shocked and stars scrambling to reassure everyone that they’re very much alive.
From pop icons to British TV favourites, no one is immune.
Leigh-Anne Pinnock and the Latest Viral Hoax
Earlier this week, Little Mix singer Leigh-Anne Pinnock found herself at the centre of one such viral rumour.
A mocked-up news clip circulated online, claiming the star had tragically passed away.
Fans quickly branded the video “disgusting” and rushed to express outrage.
Fortunately, Pinnock herself handled the hoax with grace, reassuring everyone she was alive and well—joining a long list of celebrities who have weathered similar false claims.
Jon Bon Jovi Sees the Funny Side
Back in 2011, rock legend Jon Bon Jovi became the victim of a shocking death hoax.
A report claimed he suffered a cardiac arrest at a New Jersey hotel and died in hospital.
As his name trended on Twitter, Bon Jovi responded with humour, posting a festive picture holding a sign that read: “Heaven looks a lot like New Jersey.”
His fans breathed a sigh of relief as the hoax was debunked.
Taylor Swift and Repeated Online Panic
For global superstar Taylor Swift, death hoaxes have been a recurring headache.
One of the most notorious occurred in 2012 when an X (then Twitter) account falsely claimed she had been found dead at home. US news outlets were quick to debunk the rumours.
Other hoaxes later claimed she had died in a car crash, while even Kanye West’s infamous VMA incident in 2009 sparked similar false stories.
Sylvester Stallone Battles Fake Final Days
Hollywood icon Sylvester Stallone faced a bizarre death hoax in 2018.
Fake images circulated online, supposedly showing him in his “final days,” sending his name soaring in internet searches.
Stallone’s response was clear and direct: “Alive and well and happy and healthy.”
His brother Frank also condemned the hoax, calling the perpetrators “mentally deranged.”
Tom Cruise and the New Zealand Rumour
In 2010, action star Tom Cruise was hit by false reports claiming he had died in New Zealand after a cliff accident.
His representatives quickly confirmed he wasn’t even in the country, calling the claims “erroneous and unreliable internet garbage.”
Miley Cyrus, Facebook Scams, and the Bangerz Era
During her 2014 Bangerz era, Miley Cyrus became the target of a death hoax on Facebook.
Users were tricked into sharing posts that led to fake survey pages designed to make money for scammers.
Cyrus reportedly found the situation amusing, treating it as a reminder of how absurd online rumours can be.
Ellen DeGeneres and Social Media Frenzy
Ellen DeGeneres has also experienced several death hoaxes over the years, including a notable 2023 incident.
Tweets falsely claimed she had died, leading to widespread confusion and trending hashtags like #RIPEllen.
While she didn’t comment directly, social media users quickly debunked the claims, highlighting the viral nature of celebrity misinformation.
British Stars Face Hoaxes Too
It’s not just Hollywood names that suffer. British TV favourites Denise Welch and Bradley Walsh have both been targeted.
In 2023, Welch’s Wikipedia page was bizarrely edited to suggest she had died in a mobility scooter accident.
Walsh fell victim to a fake BBC News TikTok post in 2024, claiming he had passed away at age 63.
Both stars promptly reassured fans that they were alive and well.
Peter Kay and the Internet’s Long Memory
Comedian Peter Kay has faced multiple death hoaxes over the years.
From cancelled tours to confusion with other people named Peter Kay, rumours frequently circulated, only for fans and media outlets to step in and clarify.
Despite the false claims, his legacy as a beloved entertainer remains intact.
Why Death Hoaxes Persist
From social media pranks to scammers seeking clicks, the motivations behind these hoaxes vary, but their impact is undeniable.
Stars often respond with humour or direct statements to reassure fans.
For the rest of us, it’s a reminder to pause before believing everything we see online—especially when it comes to someone “passing away” on the internet.