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An episode of cartoon comedy Family Guy about Robin Williams featuring a failed suicide attempt went out at almost exactly the time his death was announced.

Viewers were shocked over the uncanny timing after watching the episode called Fatman and Robin, where Peter Griffin is cursed with the ability to turn everything he touches into Robin Williams.

During the episode Peter tries to commit suicide in a desperate attempt to stop the clones appearing, before eventually chopping both his hands off to end the spell.

The internet is full of comments about the bizarre coincidence with most people calling it "weird" after watching it air on BBC 3 at 11.25pm.

Williams passed away after a reported suicide attempt on Monday afternoon at his family home in California and the news broke around 11.50pm.

The comedian's death was reported on several news outlets at the same time the show was being screened.

In the episode Peter is watching Williams - his favorite comedian - when another comedian, Jeff Ross, insults his hero.

Peter runs outside in the middle of a thunderstorm and accuses God of hating Williams and wishing that everyone was the comedian before he gets struck by lightning.

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Upon waking up in the hospital, Peter discovers he has gained the ability to turn everyone and everything he touches into Williams in a rip-off of the Greek legend about King Midas turning everything he touches into gold.

A spokeswoman for the BBC described it as an "uncanny coincidence" and said plans to repeat the episode this Friday had been pulled.

She said workers realised the episode ended just as the comedian's death was announced.

Scheduling takes place at least two weeks before the programme is aired and the same episode has been repeated several times before and was down to be repeated on Friday.

The spokeswoman added: "It was due to be repeated on Friday but we will not be showing it now."

Today Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane said: "The world just got a lot less funny. Robin Williams is a tragic loss."