Aretha Franklin issues excellent response to rumours of her death

Getty Images

Aretha Franklin has responded with true panache to rumours of her death.

A fake Twitter account dedicated to the soul star tweeted news of her alleged passing earlier this week. Fans began sharing the post and #RIPArethaFranklin began trending.

A day later, the tweet was followed up with a new update.

Franklin - who this year announced her retirement, aged 75 - has since issued a statement to Us Weekly, assuring fans she is alive and well. The legendary singer has been forced to cancel multiple concerts over the past few years because of undisclosed health issues, but is currently "doing well generally".

"All tests have come back good," she said. “I’ve lost a lot of weight due to side effects of medicine, it affects your weight … Thanxxxx for your concern."

'Thanx for your concern' might be the breeziest way of responding to a death hoax that we've heard to date.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7qa3RqZyrq5KWx6Kt0WeaqKVfqrhwr8SlnJuqmam2pr%2BOp5ywq1%2BWfnSEl2lobGxflr%2BmwMeaZJ%2BqkaO4rbXNZqCsq6WawG6x15ycpaSVo8FuvsSsp6imo5p6tbuMq6ymp6WnwG67xWafnqpdmbKiwMdo