Mark Pilgrim, a well-loved South African DJ who was diagnosed with cancer, has touched the hearts of many people with his updates on social media about his illness. A Facebook post last night saying that Mark Pilgrim had died allowed assumption to do what it does best, resulting in a string of eulogies by fans to someone who is very much alive.

A lot of sleeping the last few days. Body is depleted. After chemo and immuno last Thursday it’s just been pouring out both ends. I’m like a shriveled pea. 😳🥴. pic.twitter.com/Lb6fsxXFpG

— Mark Pilgrim (@MarkPilgrimZA) February 2, 2023

It started when someone named James Pilgrim posted that his brother-in-law Mark had passed away after a 22-month-long battle with cancer.

The message was circulated on social media and many South Africans assumed it referred to the beloved DJ.

This prompted Hot 1027 News to release a statement on Twitter saying that ‘Mark Pilgrim has not passed on’ and that Pilgrim himself requested that people refrain from sharing fake news on social media.

HOT1027 Would like to inform the public that Mark Pilgrim has not passed on." Social media posts suggesting he's died are incorrect. Mark has asked that people refrain from sharing fake news around his condition" , said HOT1027 MD Lloyd Madurai.

— Hot 1027 News (@Hot1027News) February 9, 2023

Nine hours ago, Pilgrim retweeted a tweet by @DuvenhageLorinda asking @cornedupreez1 to delete a post about this ‘death’. He included a screenshot of the Hot 1027 statement.