Queen Dolly 'ain't ready to die yet'. Phew, we need her in the world

Some may wonder what reaction there may be to their death; others are treated to a preview. Country music legend Dolly Parton just had to put out a video calming people down about her alleged imminent demise.

- Barbara Ellen

Parton, 79, postponed some high-profile events, but the touchpaper for public concern was her sister, going online and asking people to “pray for Dolly”. Cue Parton, gloriously garbed in Grand Ole Opry regalia, talking about the recent passing of her husband, and needing to attend to her long-neglected health matters, but adamant: “I ain't ready to die yet!”

It’s a twist on the recurring phenomenon of the celebrity death hoax. The most infamous is “Paul is dead”, which claimed the real Paul McCartney died in the 1960s and was replaced by someone else who thought recording Mull of Kintyre was a good idea. Others pronounced “deceased” by the bloodthirsty internet include: Tom Cruise (plumbing accident); George Clooney (plane crash); Brad Pitt (shot); and Russell Crowe (fell off a mountain).