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(Image: DAILY STAR)

A series of Tweets announcing the death of the 46-year-old film star appeared on the account of his band, Tenacious D.

But the same account now says the announcement was just a prank and that “the legend is still alive”.

However the hoax has sparked a backlash from fans who branded it “sick” and “distasteful”.

(Image: TWITTER)

The band’s Twitter account posted: “I’m sad to officially announce the death of Jack Black at the age of 46, rest in peace brother.”

Another Tweet said: “It is with a heavy heart I am to announce that Jack Black passed away last night at 3:37am. The cause of death is yet unknown.”

A further post from the band’s account was posted minutes after giving the hashtag #RIPJackBlack.

A third Tweet simply offered the hastag #RIPJackBlack.

The claims sent Twitter into a storm of confusion, with nobody sure if they should believe them.

As a band, Tenacious D are known for their gags and comedic music, fuelling the disbelief.

But it now appears that the Tweets were posted by someone hacking the band's account.

The brazen hacker even used the band's account to beg for followers after revealing the deception.

(Image: REX/SHUTTERSTOCK)

It's also not the first time that Black has been the victim of a widespread celebrity death hoax.

A Facebook page called RIP Jack Black racked up nearly a million likes before his publicist confirmed he was alive.

Quoted in MediaMass, they said: “He joins the long list of celebrities who have been victimized by this hoax.

“He's still alive and well, stop believing what you see on the Internet.”

(Image: REX/SHUTTERSTOCK)

The band are known to have played on Friday at the Rock Am Ring festival in Germany, where 50 people were this week injured by lightning.

While Black himself appears in a photo with DJ and rapper Diplo uploaded to Snapchat nine hours ago.

Many rubbished the claims from the start, with one person claiming Black is currently on a plane to LA.

(Image: TWITTER)

Others have claimed the Twitter account may have been hacked.

Twitter user Rachel Dailey tweeted: “Jack Black has died so many times that nobody is going to believe it when he actually does.”

And André Pusey posted: “Okay, so Jack Black clearly isn't dead. The TenaciousD account has been hacked. This seems to be happening a lot lately, so look out.”

The claims were not repeated on the band's official Facebook page or website.

However 2016 has been a year heavy with celebrity deaths, starting with the death of David Bowie on January 10.

Since then multiple icons of stage, screen and recording studio have passed away.

Only yesterday, the sporting world bid farewell to Muhammad Ali who died aged 74.

Jack Black, star of School of Rock, has released three albums with Tenacious D bandmate Kyle Gass.

He has two children, Sammy and Thomas, with his wife Tanya Hayden, who he married in March 2006.

According to IMDB.com he is due to appear in upcoming movies Jumanji and The Polka King, which are in pre-production.

Jack Black's representatives have been contacted for comment.