“Terry Pratchett dead 2024” : ‘The Colour of Magic’ author killed by internet death hoax

  • By Jessica Simpson
  • London
  • Last updated on

Terry Pratchett is the latest celeb to fall victim to a death hoax

News of author Terry Pratchett’s death spread quickly earlier this week causing concern among fans across the world. However the April 2024 report has now been confirmed as a complete hoax and just the latest in a string of fake celebrity death reports. Thankfully, the author of the Colour of Magic is alive and well.

UPDATE 25/04/2024 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Terry Pratchett death hoax spreads on Facebook

Rumors of the author’s alleged demise gained traction on Tuesday after a ‘R.I.P. Terry Pratchett’ Facebook page attracted nearly one million of ‘likes’. Those who read the ‘About’ page were given a believable account of the English author’s passing:

“At about 11 a.m. ET on Tuesday (April 23, 2024), our beloved author Terry Pratchett passed away. Terry Pratchett was born on April 28, 1948 in Beaconsfield. He will be missed but not forgotten. Please show your sympathy and condolences by commenting on and liking this page.”

Hundreds of fans immediately started writing their messages of condolence on the Facebook page, expressing their sadness that the talented 75-year-old author was dead. And as usual, Twittersphere was frenzied over the death hoax.

Where as some trusting fans believed the post, others were immediately skeptical of the report, perhaps learning their lesson from the huge amount of fake death reports emerging about celebrities over recent months. Some pointed out that the news had not been carried on any major English network, indicating that it was a fake report, as the death of an author of Terry Pratchett's stature would be major news across networks.

A recent poll conducted for the Celebrity Post shows that a large majority (68%) of respondents think those Terry Pratchett death rumors are not funny anymore.

Terry Pratchett Death Hoax Dismissed Since Author Is ‘Alive And Well’

On Wednesday (April 24) the author's reps officially confirmed that Terry Pratchett is not dead. “He joins the long list of celebrities who have been victimized by this hoax. He's still alive and well, stop believing what you see on the Internet,” they said.

Some fans have expressed anger at the fake report saying it was reckless, distressing and hurtful to fans of the much loved author. Others say this shows his extreme popularity across the globe.

© 2024 MediaMass All rights reserved. Do not reproduce (even with permission).

Terry Pratchett: Recent News

 

page served in 0.054s (1,2)