Eighties pop star Rick Astley is fighting off sick rumours he has been found dead in Germany, after becoming the latest in a handful of celebrities 'killed off' by Internet hoaxers.

The British singer, best known for 1987 hit Never Gonna Give You Up, was reportedly found unconscious in his hotel room in Berlin, where he has been on tour.

A fake media release, made to look like it had been issued by the Associated Press, claimed an ambulance was called to the scene, but paramedics could not resuscitate him and he was pronounced dead at the hotel.

But Astley's rep has slammed the allegations, insisting he is fine.

In a statement on his official website, Astley's spokesperson says, "Contrary to reports in the press today, Rick is alive and well and looking forward to his concert in Tivoli Gardens in Denmark later this week."

Hollywood stars George Clooney and Jeff Goldblum have also been forced to deny morbid reports of their deaths in a week that has seen the loss of pop superstar Michael Jackson and actress Farrah Fawcett, among others.