January 27, 2012 17:12

Cher subject of internet death hoax

The rumours of the star's demise started on Twitter

Photo: PA

Singer Cher has been the subject of an online death hoax.

Rumours began circulating yesterday (January 26) on Twitter stating that the 'Believe' singer had died.

'RIP Cher' began trending on the social networking site, but the 65-year-old Burlesque star and Osca-winning actress is alive and well. Kim Kardashian was one of the famous names who reacted to the story, writing on her account on the social networking site: "Did I just hear that Cher has passed away? Is this real? OMG."

She then wrote: "I hope this is a twitter joke and not true. I don't see it on the news anywhere. I'm praying its not true."

Last month Jon Bon Jovi quashed internet rumours of his death, by posting a picture of him in front of a Christmas tree and holding a piece of paper with the day's date. The Bon Jovi rocker was the subject of another internet death hoax, but the star took to his band's Facebook page to prove he was still alive and kicking.

In the photo posted, a smiling Bon Jovi held up a piece of paper which said: "Heaven looks a lot like New Jersey". The posting came after Dailynewbloginternational put a story online saying that the frontman had died from a cardiac arrest at the age of 49. Billboard reported that the story was copied from the Los Angeles Times' coverage of the 2009 death of Michael Jackson.

Gallery: Bon Jovi and the art of the internet death hoax