England and Wasps star James Haskell has been forced to issue a video message to fans after rumours surfaced online that he had died.
Online pranksters claimed the flanker had died of a steroid overdose while others said he had been selling drugs and was forced to quit the sport.
However, the Wasps back row posted a video on YouTube on Saturday in which he described the fake stories as “click-bait”.
The 31-year-old begins the video by saying: “There are quite a lot of fake news stories operating on Facebook”, before confirming that he is very much alive.
Haskell denies that he had died of a steroid or drug overdose, and also squashes rumours that he’s been selling drugs.
“Rest assured, I’m not dead,” says Haskell.
Haskell is currently recovering from a foot injury that required surgery after England’s triumphant tour of Australia in June, but is expected to return for Wasps this month.
VIDEO: Rugby star James Haskell releases video message to quash death rumours