Internet hoax announces Ozzy Osbourne as dead (but he isn't)

The rumour was started by a Facebook group

Ed Keeble

15:55 15th August 2014

Following on from Robbie Williams, Ozzy Osbourne is the latest musician to be taken for dead by silly people on the internet.

First off, breathe and relax, the Black Sabbath frontman is still alive and well, despite what rumours started on Facebook would have you believe. According to a Facebook group entitled R.I.P. Ozzy Osbourne, the rock star passed away on Wednesday. This led to the group swiftly picking up nearly a million likes for some reason.

“At about 11 a.m. ET on Wednesday (August 13, 2014), our beloved singer Ozzy Osbourne passed away," reads the about page. "Ozzy Osbourne was born on December 3, 1948 in Birmingham. He will be missed but not forgotten. Please show your sympathy and condolences by commenting on and liking this page.”

Listen to 'Crazy Train' by Ozzy Osbourne below

Naturally from there the internet began to spiral out of control, with people sharing the info on Twitter and Facebook. However those who had their heads screwed on properly didn't buy it - thank god.

On Thursday a representative for the singer issued the following statement: “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.”

Below: 'We're not dead!' - the greatest music star death rumours

Usher: Rumours circulated that he had died in a car crash, he posted the above picture along with "I must've died and went to heaven...Alive and cold kickin ass!"
Chris Brown: Hoaxers took to Twitter and spammed his Youtube videos to send condolences such as "RIP Chris, you'll be beating women in hell from now to eternity." Ouch!
Jon Bon Jovi: According to reports, Bon Jovi died in hospital after been found in a coma from a cardiac arrest. Jovi found the funny side though and posted the above picture on his Facebook.
Justin Bieber: 'RIP Justin Bieber' is probably the most common trending death topic on Twitter over the past few years. If something dreadful does happen to the young star in the future, we don't think anyone will believe it.
Eminem: Car crashes seem to be a popular death in the hoax world. Eminem apparenly died in a fatal car accident with Lars Ulrich in the passenger seat in 2010. His continued living proved these rumours wrong.
Britney Spears: Yet another fictional car crash. Many fans believed that Britney and her then-boyfriend Justin Timberlake were killed in a car crash when Dallas radio DJs Kramer and Twitch shared the news on air in 2001.
Missy Elliot: Missy Elliot took to Twitter after her death began trending on the social networking site. She responded: "Sadly, someone was that miserable to make up such a cruel rumor! It Makes me work harder make em mad!"
Adele: 'RIP Adele' trended on Twitter at the start of 2012, causing online fans of the singer to panic. It was quickly resolved, and her fans changed the meaning of RIP to 'Really Inspiring Person'. Well done, the fans.
Kanye West: Another Twitter trend was quickly revealed to be false after his then-girlfriend Amber Rose tweeted: " This RIPKanyeWest topic is not funny and it's NOT TRUE!". She followed up with "He has people like myself and his family that love him very much."
Lil Wayne: It's difficult to tell exactly what's been going on with Wayne after he was hospitalised for a seizure - seeing as gossip website TMZ were talking about last rites and medically induced comas, while his team said none of it was true. Still, one thing's true; Lil Wayne is recovering and definitely not dead.
Alex Turner: The Arctic Monkeys frontman was the subject of an unfounded hashtag in December 2013, with #RIPAlexTurner trending on Twitter.
Robbie Williams: Following the tragic suicide of Robin Williams, thousands took to Twitter to voice their mourning at the loss of the 'Angels' singer instead. They were either not reading the news correctly, misheard or were just being plain insensitive. Either way, we're fairly certain Robbie is still alive.
Paul McCartney: Apparently this isn't the real Paul McCartney, he died in 1966 from a traffic incident. This imposter replaced him...

Grab your copy of the Gigwise print magazine here.

Photo: WENN.com