The ever-smooth comedian, however, rolled with the cyber-punches.

On his official website, he said: “And now ladies and gentlemen, for my rebuttal. As you well know, a dead person cannot rebuttal. Therefore, I am rebuttaling to tell you that when I heard the news I immediately began rebuttaling and went into denial.

“My wife has just informed me that there is no such word as rebuttaling – she says the word is rebutting. But I don’t care, because I’m alive!”

Cosby’s was apparently the latest in a series of death hoaxes involving stars.

Johnny Depp and Kanye West were among those hit so far.

The hoax reportedly had Cosby passed out at the age of 72 in a chair around midnight on February 6. His wife, Camille, was reported to have dialled 911 before he was reportedly rushed to Baystate Franklin Medical Centre.

Cosby is the dearly loved star of the long-running The Cosby Show, which ran from 1984 to 1992.

source: Splash News

Comedian and author Bill Cosby was awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humour at a glitzy Washington ceremony.

Cosby has rallied since earlier cancellation of a couple of engagements aroused concern for his health. The comic veteran was supported by Chris Rock, Jerry Seinfeld, Sinbad, Willie Nelson, Wynton Marsalis and Carl Reiner.

Phylicia Rashad and Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Cosby's co-stars from the wildly popular and longrunning The Cosby Show, were also in attendance.

Cosby had previously twice declined the award because he was offended by language used at the first Mark Twain Prize ceremony honouring Richard Pryor in 1998, CNN reported.

"I made it clear that there were certain people who misunderstood what Richard was about and how they were using words. And I was not about to have that celebrating Mark Twain and Bill Cosby," the network quoted him as saying.

source: Splash News

Bill Cosby aroused concerns for his health when he suddenly pulled out of two weekend engagements in California.

Cosby, 72, cited an "unavoidable personal situation" when he cancelled two stand-up shows at the Cerritos Center booked for Sunday.

A spokeswoman for the venue said the legendary comedian is fine and talks to reschedule were under way.

source: Splash News