Jane Fallon has spoken out against a fabricated AI-generated obituary that appeared online in the wake of her breast cancer diagnosis.
The bestselling novelist, 65, who has been in a relationship with comedian Ricky Gervais for more than four decades, took to X on Saturday to address the false death announcement.
Ms Fallon made clear that any photographs purporting to show her in hospital are entirely fake.
"I just want people to know that any photos you see of me in hospital, looking sad or with tubes sticking out of me are 100% fake - AI generated," she wrote.
Ricky Gervais and Jane Fallon began their relationship in 1982 | GETTYThe disturbing hoax was reportedly shared by a page masquerading as a fan account for Mr Gervais, prompting widespread condemnation from Ms Fallon's supporters who described it as "vile" and "the lowest of the low."
Ms Fallon revealed she had initially posted about the obituary before choosing to remove it from her account.
"I've taken the post about the obituary down, because I don't want people to think I'm upset by it. I'm not. P***ed off yes," she explained.
The author emphasised her frustration rather than distress at the malicious content, which emerged during her ongoing cancer treatment.
Jane Fallon took to X to slam the fake news
|X
Supporters flooded her post with messages of solidarity, with one user noting they had reported both the offending content and the account responsible.
"It hides under the guise of a RG 'fan' and animal welfare! The AI stuff posted is frankly libellous and disgusting! Not something anyone should have to deal with," wrote one follower.
Others expressed relief at having missed the fake announcement entirely.
The bogus obituary surfaced shortly after Ms Fallon had delivered encouraging news about her treatment progress.
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Jane Fallon has said doctors have 'basically got it all' after undergoing a cancer op | GETTYIn a video posted to Instagram on Friday, the author revealed that her operation had been largely successful, with surgeons managing to remove the bulk of her tumour.
"They basically got it all," she told followers while cradling her cat, whom she joked was her new weightlifting equipment following medical clearance to resume light exercise.
However, Ms Fallon disclosed that doctors were unable to secure sufficiently clear margins around the extracted tissue, necessitating a follow-up procedure.
She described the prospect of additional surgery as "a bit of a pain" but stressed it was not a cause for concern.
Jane Fallon said the cancer had been discovered early | GETTYThe second operation will mirror her initial procedure, with Ms Fallon hoping to receive a date after the Easter break.
Ms Fallon's cancer was detected through a routine mammogram she attended a week before Christmas, despite experiencing no symptoms whatsoever.
She credited a "brilliant radiographer" with spotting something suspicious, which led to further tests and eventually a biopsy confirming the diagnosis.
The author has undergone multiple mammograms, additional biopsies and an MRI scan to pinpoint the affected area precisely before her surgery on March 23.
Reflecting on her recuperation, Ms Fallon expressed surprise at how straightforward the healing process had been, noting she felt "remarkably fine" following the procedure.
She has also sought advice from followers regarding Tamoxifen, which is being considered as part of her treatment plan.
Ms Fallon and Mr Gervais first met whilst studying at University College London in 1982 and moved in together two years later, currently residing in Hampstead.
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