Ex-American Pickers star Frank Fritz's friend breaks silence amid awful rumors about reality TV legend being dead

Former American Pickers star Frank Fritz is said to be alive and 'gobbling down a fudge ice cream' after sick rumors circulated online claiming that he was dead.

Unconfirmed reports that the reality television personality, 58, had died appeared to spread like wildfire last week when a website appeared on Google with the title 'In Memory Of Frank Fritz: A Journey Through His Life And Legacy.'

Confused fans also offered their condolences on Frank's official Instagram.

However, a friend close to the star appeared to confirm over the weekend that he was very much alive.

Posting on Frank's Facebook fan page, they said: 'Last night he was gobbling down a fudge ice cream so again he is not dead.

American Pickers star Frank Fritz is said to be alive and 'gobbling down ice cream' 

A friend close to Frank insisted that he 'is not dead' after rumors circulated online

'The rumors are still out there but we have been dealing with this a lot over the last two years. These rumors seem to be a little stronger than most in the past.'

The friend also revealed that they would announce Frank's death on the social media site if he was to pass.

'If Frank was to die as his friends, we would like to have a little time to inform all his very best friends which is a lot,' they continued.

'And then you will read it on this page also from our local newspaper called Quad City Times.

'I assure the time between his death and my announcement will be brief.

'It is important to me that his close friends come first than his beloved fans and our local people that have supported him from day one.'

In addition, a source close to Frank also told The US Sun: 'It's all a bunch of bull. Don't know where it came from.

'Frank has been good, been eating ice cream and watching the Olympics.'

American Pickers debuted on History Channel in 2010; Mike Wolfe and Frank pictured in 2011

Frank has faced a number of health battles in recent years, including a stroke and Crohn's 

Frank's health has taken a turn in recent years, having suffered a stroke in July 2022.

At the time, American Pickers star Mike Wolfe asked fans of the History Channel series to 'keep him in your hearts and thoughts.'

'I have been very private in the past year in regards to Frank's life and the journey he's been on,' he began in a post shared on Instagram.

'There has been lots of opinions in regards to mine and Frank's friendship and the show but now is not the time to set the record straight. Now is the time to pray for my friend.

'Frank has suffered a stroke and is in the hospital. Please keep him in your hearts and thoughts.

'Frank I pray more than anything that you make it through this okay. I love you buddy.'

American Pickers debuted on History Channel in 2010, following Frank, Mike, and their co-worker, Danielle Colby-Cushman, who run an antique store in Iowa.

Frank and Mike travelled the country in search of all sorts of collectibles from collectors of all kind.

It was revealed in June 2021 that Frank was leaving the show, as a culmination of many health problems, including a back surgery and suffering from Crohn's Disease.

Frank was hospitalized after suffering a stroke in July 2022, with Mike asking fans to 'keep him in your hearts' 

Mike released a statement at the time describing Frank as 'like a brother to me,' adding he will 'pray for the very best and all good things for him on the next part of his journey.'

However, in an interview with The Sun, Frank painted a very different picture of their friendship.

He said: 'Mike's statement was bulls**t, somebody wrote it out for him. We never were friends in grade school.

'I don't believe in 10 years he's said five nice things to me, you know? Unless he was cutting somebody else down and we were both laughing.'