'They said RIP... your problems are over': Transgender Big Brother star Rebekah Shelton believed she had actually DIED after hackers falsely announced her passing
Transgender Big Brother star, Rebekah Shelton revealed she thought she had actually died, after hackers infiltrated her Twitter and claimed she had passed away.
The Brazilian, 32, who changed her name from Rodrigo Lopes after a sex change in 2014, featured on Big Brother in 2009.
And appearing on the Jeremy Kyle show on Wednesday to talk about being accused of faking her own death she said: 'I woke up to many messages on my phone from people saying I was an angel.
'They said RIP... your problems are over': Transgender Big Brother star Rebekah Shelton told Jeremy Kyle on Wednesday she believed she had DIED after hackers falsely announced her passing
'They said, "Rest in peace and now you problems are finished, and I thought am I dead?" It was very damaging emotionally.'
She also denied that the whole thing had been a PR stunt, saying: 'I don’t want to be arrogant but who are the people saying I was faking this news? I don’t know.'
In January, a statement appeared on Rebekah's own verified Twitter account, announcing that she had died.
Brave: The Brazilian, 32, changed her name from Rodrigo Lopes after a sex change in 2014, featured on Big Brother in 2009 (left) and now (right)
Horrific: In January, a statement appeared on Rebekah's own verified Twitter account, announcing that she had died but she soon insisted she wasn't
She later deleted the tweet and posted a video to tell her fans she had been 'hacked', later claiming her billionaire lover's wife did it after discovering their affair.
A source close to the star's family told MailOnline her relatives thought she had actually died and were 'grieving', but also revealed that some suspected it was a publicity stunt.
A statement posted from her verified Twitter account read: 'We're sorry to inform everyone of the sad news that our wonderful and lovely Rebekah died unexpectedly on Wednesday night. We ask that you respect the family's privacy at this time.'
She said: 'I woke up to many messages on my phone from people saying I was an angel'
Adding: 'They said, "Rest in peace and now you problems are finished, and I thought am I dead?" It was very damaging emotionally'
Ms Shelton then deleted the message and wrote: 'I'm not dead!!!!!! Please stop spreading this news!!!!! My lawyer is already working on this and this person who wants to spoil my happiness is going to pay for it!!!!!'
During her stint on Jeremy Kyle on Wednesday, Rebekah spoke about both being gay and becoming a woman.
She said: 'I thought I was gay, but I thought I had a defect because how can I be gay and like straight men but see myself as a woman?
'I think (becoming a woman) was the most psychological l thing that someone could ever feel because I’ve been through 16 surgeries…
She also denied that the whole thing had been a PR stunt, saying: 'I don’t want to be arrogant but who are the people saying I was faking this news? I don’t know'
Claims: Rebekah previously claimed her billionaire lover's wife hacked her account after discovering their affair
'I was by myself for the first surgery and it was just sad. I had a very uncertain future, because I had lots of dreams as Rodrigo, and suddenly I was starting my new life as myself.'
And talking about how people have received her transformation, Rebekah said: 'People say that I look good, it’s their opinion, but what people see is just a mask.
'Inside I’m quite a vulnerable person, and emotional.
'I left so many dreams behind, but I dream of having a family because I always wanted to be a mother. I know I'll never get pregnant.'
Rebekah started living as a woman in 2012.
She began by dressing up in heels on nights' out and wearing friends' clothes and was advised to live as a woman for a year before making a decision about surgery.
Stunning: Rebekah began by dressing up in heels on nights' out and wearing friends' clothes and was advised to live as a woman for a year before making a decision about surgery
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