Hugh Hefner has dismissed internet rumours he's dead, declaring: "I'm very much alive and kicking!"
The Playboy mogul was stunned to learn on Monday (11Jul11) that speculation on the web suggested he'd passed away, and he immediately took to his Twitter.com page to clear up the reports.
In a series of posts, the star writes, "The rumors (sic) of my death are, as Mark Twain observed in a similar situation, greatly exaggerated. I'm very much alive & kicking.
"I'm lying in bed next to (girlfriend) Shera with a big smile on my face, reading tweets about my unexpected demise."
Hefner also revealed to fans that he was spending his day watching a programme detailing his marriage drama last month (Jun11), which saw fiancee Crystal Harris end their relationship just days before their planned wedding.
He adds, "The guys & I watched an early edit of 'Hef's Runaway Bride' tonight. The fans are going to love it."