Along with trolling, the memeification of virtually every occurrence and the desire to make private disputes public, we can also thank the internet for propagating the most bizarre conspiracy theories about people in the public eye.
This week, Beyonce’s father added fuel to the fire behind a theory concerning his daughter’s age, when he told a radio station Beyonce was the same age as Pink and Usher - which would make her 36, not 34.
Virtually every famous person has been subject to a spurious rumour of some sort, but some are more bizarre than others.
Jennifer Lawrence
The Hunger Games actress was accused of faking a second tumble on the 2014 Oscars red carpet after her fall at the 2013 Oscar’s proved so endearing. The actor Jared Leto then stoked rumours by jokingly suggesting she might have staged the fall, making matters worse.
Donald Trump
Lawrence has admitted she believes a widely-shared theory that Donald Trump’s memorable Presidential campaign has been orchestrated to ensure Hillary Clinton is elected in 2016. Considering some of the billionaire tycoon's provocative and offensive comments of late, this is perhaps the least outlandish theory of the lot.
Avril Lavigne
The 'Skater Boi' singer has been subjected to one of the more bizarre conspiracy theories bouncing around internet forums - that she is dead. The Avril is Dead blogspot claims Lavigne died immediately after her first album, Let Go, was released and replaced by an actress called Melissa Vandella. The evidence for this claim is the absence of a few blemishes in photos taken before and after her album was released. However, the blog also has a disclaimer at the top of its site: that it was created to show how conspiracy theories can be made to look convincing. But that didn’t stop it spreading like wildfire.
Beyonce (again)
As one of the most influential women in the world, it’s hardly surprising the singer has been the subject of more than one rumour. There was one false theory that really stuck around regarding the singer’s pregnancy and a “collapsing” stomach during a TV appearance that led some to speculate the bump was fake.
Pippa Middleton
Not only did Kate Middleton’s sister have to deal with endless inappropriate comments about her figure in the media after acting as her maid of honour, she was then plagued by suggestions that she was wearing a “false bottom” during the televised ceremony.
