Rowan Atkinson Death Hoax Spreads on Facebook

Rowan Atkinson death hoax spreads on Facebook

Rumors of the actor’s alleged demise gained traction on Friday after a ‘R.I.P. Rowan Atkinson’ Facebook page attracted nearly one million of ‘likes’. Those who read the ‘About’ page were given a believable account of the British actor’s passing:

“At about 11 a.m. ET on Friday (November 15, 2013), our beloved actor Rowan Atkinson passed away. Rowan Atkinson was born on January 6, 1955 in Newcastle upon Tyne. 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 58-year-old actor and comedian 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 British network, indicating that it was a fake report, as the death of an actor of Rowan Atkinson's stature would be major news across networks.

A recent poll conducted for the Celebrity Post shows that a large majority (76%) of respondents think those Rowan Atkinson death rumors are not funny anymore.

Rowan Atkinson Death Hoax Dismissed Since Actor Is ‘Alive And Well’

On Saturday (November 16) the actor's reps officially confirmed that Rowan Atkinson 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 actor. Others say this shows his extreme popularity across the globe.

Anderson Cooper talks about Korina Sanchez Comment in Tacloban Philippines

CNN broadcast journalist Anderson Cooper urged news anchor Korina Sanchez to go to Tacloban, the hardest hit by one of the worst typhoons in history, since she has the means “as she is the wife of the Interior Secretary.”

In a live broadcast on Friday morning, Anderson clarified that his previous reports merely showed the situation in Tacloban as it was and not to attack the government for its lack of presence in the desolate Leyte province.

“I urge her to go there (Tacloban). I’m sure she has the means as she’s the wife of the Interior Secretary. Her husband’s a politician, I’m sure he can arrange her a flight,” said Cooper, referring to Manuel “Mar” Roxas II who is at the forefront of relief operations for victims of Supertyphoon “Yolanda”.

Korina Sanchez and Anderson Cooper file photos

Cooper’s report aired on Wednesday apparently irked Sanchez. In her early morning radio show, she was quoted as saying: “Itong si Anderson Cooper, sabi wala daw government presence sa Tacloban. Mukhang hindi niya alam ang sinasabi niya. (This Anderson Cooper, he said there was no government presence in Tacloban. It seems he doesn’t know what he is saying.)

But a day after she drew the ire of netizens in social media for criticizing the CNN reporter, Sanchez went to Ormoc, also in Leyte, to make an on-the-spot report in the city, which is about 105 kilometers from Tacloban City.

Recapping his controversial report that Sanchez had criticized, Cooper replayed a clip of his previous CNN report in the Friday broadcast:

“Here’s what I actually said: As for who exactly is in charge of the Philippine side of operation, that is not really clear. I am just surprised. I expected on this day five, I thought I may have gotten here very late, that things will be well in hand, it does not seem like that. People are desperate, they do not have any place for shelter, it’s very difficult for people to get food,  neighbors are helping out neighbors, water is in short supply, it is a very very bad situation here.”

Cooper  also pointed out the lack of medical supplies, food and water in clinics set up at the Tacloban airport.

“I was sure there were clinics several days ago at the airport. The doctors said they did not have enough food, they didn’t have enough water, for the hundreds of people they were seeing every single day, that they did not have enough medical supplies,” he said.

“If any clinic in the entire disaster zone should be able to receive aid quickly and easily, it’s the clinic at the airport and they were not getting it.”

Cooper has been covering the disaster in Tacloban City where Yolanda’s fury was heavily felt as it leveled buildings, smashed homes, toppled trees and posts and killed and injured thousands.