In a heart-stopping moment that rocked the nation and sent shockwaves through celebrity circles, Rylan Clark’s universe came crashing down when devastating fake news about his mum Linda’s death spread like wildfire online. The beloved TV presenter, known for his unbreakable bond with his “Mummy Linda,” was bombarded with thousands of condolence messages after a cruel hoax on Facebook claimed the 73-year-old Gogglebox star had passed away. But in a raw, on-air explosion of emotion that no one saw coming – not even his closest pals – Rylan did something so real, so vulnerable, it redefined him forever and turned a nightmare into a viral moment of pure love.

It all exploded during Rylan’s BBC Radio 2 show on November 2, 2025. The 37-year-old icon, fresh off co-hosting adventures with Rob Rinder and prepping for more Celebrity Gogglebox chaos, kicked off his Saturday slot like always – bubbly banter, killer tunes, and that signature Essex charm. But midway through, he dropped a bombshell that silenced the studio: “I’ve had loads of messages today and yesterday… My mum’s absolutely fine and I think there’s a fake news site on Facebook saying that my mum’s not well or something.”

The fake report? A vicious lie claiming Linda had succumbed to her long battle with Crohn’s disease or complications from past health scares. Fans, celebs, and even strangers flooded Rylan’s DMs with heartbroken tributes – “RIP Linda,” “Thinking of you Rylan,” “She’s in a better place.” One devastated listener even called in live, sobbing about how Linda “brightened their weekends.” Rylan’s voice cracked as he read them out, but then… he snapped.

“No, no, stop! She’s FINE!” he shouted, laughing through tears. “She’s already been playing with the wheelie bins this morning! Thank you for the lovely messages but Linda is good!” And just when everyone thought he’d brush it off with a joke – boom. Rylan patched Linda through LIVE on air. The nation heard her cheeky voice: “Hello darlin’! What’s all this nonsense? I’m out here movin’ bins like a boss!” Rylan broke down completely, ugly-crying on national radio while Linda roasted the hoaxers: “Tell ’em to get a life – I’m not goin’ anywhere!”

Friends backstage were gobsmacked. One producer whispered, “We’ve never seen him like this – he just lost it, in the best way.” Co-host Scott Mills, who’d covered for Rylan during past mum crises, texted later: “Mate, that was raw. Speechless.” Even Rob Rinder, Rylan’s travel buddy, posted on X: “The way he handled that? Pure class. Linda’s a legend, Rylan’s a son any mum dreams of. Fake news can sod off.”

The clip went nuclear – 5 million views in 24 hours, trending #LindaIsAlive worldwide. Fans hailed it as “the most wholesome radio moment ever,” with memes of Linda wheeling bins captioned “Death? Not today!” One viral post: “Rylan calling his mum live to prove she’s alive? This is peak mother-son goals. I’m sobbing.” Celebs piled on: Ruth Langsford wrote, “Linda, you queen! Rylan, you’re everything.” Lizzie Cundy: “That call saved my day – love you both!”

But beneath the laughs? Real fear. Rylan later confessed in Radio Times the hoax hit hard because Linda’s health is no joke. Battling Crohn’s since the ’80s, skin cancer in 2021, horror falls (that 2023 Spain nightmare with broken arm/leg and private jet home), mystery hospital dashes in July 2025 – he’s her full-time carer. “I’m more worried about losing my mum than losing my own life,” he admitted after his India trip with Rinder, where death talks got deep. Past traumas? Linda thought Rylan had a stroke during his 2020 marriage breakdown meltdown. He’s lost weight, stopped eating, battled suicidal thoughts – all while shielding her.

This hoax? The final straw. What Rylan did next stunned everyone: He launched a full takedown. Mid-show, he reported the fake site to Facebook, urged listeners to flag it, and teased legal action. “Don’t mess with Mummy Linda,” he warned, voice steel. By Monday, the page vanished. Friends say he “went full mama bear mode” – calling lawyers, rallying pals like Claire Richards and Emma Willis for support. One insider: “He was shaking with rage, then tears. We were speechless – Rylan’s always the joker, but this? Warrior.”

Social media flipped from grief to celebration. #FakeNewsLinda trended with fans sharing old Gogglebox clips: Linda’s savage one-liners, her M&S hauls, that time she asked if a BAFTA came with a trophy. “This is why we love them – real, raw, ridiculous!” one tweeted. Even haters shut up: “Okay, that live call was genius. Rylan wins.”

Rylan’s always been open – from X Factor tears to Big Brother glory, divorce devastation to This Morning hosting. But this? A turning point. Fans see him anew: Not just the glitzy presenter, but a devoted son who’d burn the world for his mum. “It changed how people see him,” one friend said. “Vulnerable, fierce, funny – all at once.”

As fake news fades, Rylan’s message rings clear: “Cherish your mums – and fact-check before you cry!” Linda? Back to bins and banter, planning Christmas chaos. More Gogglebox? “If she’s up for it,” Rylan grins. But one thing’s sure: Mess with Linda, face Rylan’s wrath.

In a fake-news world, this was real love on blast. Rylan didn’t just debunk a rumor – he reminded us family trumps fame. Who’s crying happy tears? We all are. Stream the clip, hug your mum, report that page. Linda lives – and so does their legend. ❤️🗑️