EastEnders star Cheryl Fergison has been forced to deny she is dead after a vile hoax surfaced on social media.
The Heather Trott actress, 55, hit back after concerned fans reached out following rumours she had died.
The star then took to Instagram to post a selfie confirming she was alive and well – and would be back on television in the New Year.
Death hoax: EastEnders star Cheryl Fergison has been forced to deny she is dead after a vile hoax surfaced on social media
She wrote: ‘Thank you for your concerns but I am alive and well despite confusion on some social media that I had passed away.
‘Sadly we did lose George Michael the legend & wonderful man 4 years ago .. Heather Trott well yes she is dead but as for me Cheryl Fergison I’m looking forward to a wonderful new year where I wish our industry to get back into full flow.
‘So with confidence I say look out for me back on your screens in the new year and here’s to exciting and wonderful new projects ( like the secret says open your mind and be positive in the knowledge you will receive.
‘Wishing you all a prosperous and wonderful new year, be patient, stay safe and remember life is for living it to the best we can.’
Iconic role: The actress portrayed Heather Trott on the BBC soap from 2007 to 2012 when she was killed by Ben Mitchell (Joshua Pascoe)
Back in September Cheryl admitted she has thought of a way she could return to the soap, despite feeling as though she has ‘moved on’.
The actress portrayed Heather Trott on the BBC soap from 2007 to 2012 when she was killed by Ben Mitchell (Joshua Pascoe).
Speaking on Loose Women, Cheryl told how she has thought the show could use the classic soap storyline of a long lost twin to bring her back.
She said: ‘I had this idea when they took me out of it that they could bring back Heather’s long lost twin.
Comment: surfaced on social media. The Heather Trott actress, 55, hit back after concerned fans reached out following rumours she had died
‘I thought I could come back as Heather’s long lot twin as the same actress. It didn’t happen and you know what, I live up north now so it’s the cobbles or the dales.’
Looking back at her time in Albert Square, Cheryl said: ‘Great memories, great times, but they were a long time ago it’s all about moving on now, it was a long time ago but great memories.’
Cheryl has turned her hand to music during lockdown, having previously recorded an album and appeared in a starring role in Menopause: The Musical.
Idea: Back in September Cheryl admitted she has thought of a way she could return to the soap, despite feeling as though she has ‘moved on’
The star said: ‘As actors we are chameleons are we not, I’m lucky and blessed to say I’m musical I play lots of instruments.
‘I love singing I love acting. Over lockdown I loved presenting and singing, doing interviews with people.
‘I play guitar, I love Ed and Lewis songs and I write songs myself, I’ve never gone into a studio, nobody has asked me to do so…I’d love to have a record just with my music on but maybe with collaborations with people.
‘I don’t think people would expect me to be with the likes of Ed and Lewis. I want to do more of it because I love it…’
It comes after Cheryl revealed she would be open to joining the cast of Coronation Street in the future.
Return? Speaking on Loose Women, Cheryl told how she has thought the show could use the classic soap storyline of a long lost twin to bring her back
Cheryl lives in the North West with her husband Yassine Al-Jermoni, 34, who she tied the knot with in 2011 after he moved to the UK to be with her.
Discussing a potential career move, Cheryl told the Distinct Nostalgia podcast: ‘I would totally contemplate doing Corrie and given now that I live up North and talk like that now. I am like “Hiya love”.’
Cheryl previously revealed that she burst into tears after being told she was out of EastEnders.
She told Best magazine: ‘It was a bittersweet day. What you get with one hand, you get taken away with another!
‘When they told me Heather was for the chop, (the boss) had to get me a tissue. Sometimes a character is sacrificed to make other stories work. I get it. I knew it was going to come but it was still a shock.’
She said: ‘I thought I could come back as Heather’s long lost twin as the same actress. It didn’t happen and you know what, I live up north now so it’s the cobbles or the dales’