Rumours of heart attack: I’m fine, Roseanne Barr says
ROSEANNE Barr says she is “fine” and has had “no medical issues” following online rumours that she suffered a heart attack.
A man alleging to be the 66year- old former Roseanne star’s assistant “Frank” recently made the claim while calling Sputnik News radio host Lee Stranahan as he was filming a live Periscope video, spurring further speculation on social media.
“I’m fine,” Barr tweeted on Saturday night, alongside a photo of herself posing in a pirate wench-themed T-shirt and printed leggings.
An hour later, she wrote, “I was the victim of a prank. I’ve had no medical issues. I’m spending time at home with my family and relaxing.”
Stranahan later said in another Periscope video that he was “genuinely upset” by the call. He said he has been in contact with Roseanne in the past and that the actress’ name and phone number had popped up when the caller had phoned him.
Her photo marked the first time she has shared on social media a still photo of herself since August, when she posted a selfie and tweeted, “Got new Dr.’s and am doing better now. Thanks everyone!”
Barr has largely kept away from the spotlight since ABC cancelled her reboot of Roseanne in May after she tweeted that Valerie Jarrett, a black former Obama administration adviser, was like if “Muslim Brotherhood & Planet of the Apes had a baby.”
Following accusations of racism, Barr apologised and said she had been “Ambien tweeting,” adding she was “not a racist, just an idiot who made a bad joke.” Over the past few months, she has apologised for her words again in select interviews.
Meanwhile Sara Gilbert, who played her on- screen daughter Darlene Conner-Healy, has revealed she hasn’t received a response after reaching out to the disgraced star.
‘ I reached out to Roseanne but we haven’t spoken yet,’ Sara, 43 told Australia’s TV Week magazine on Monday.
US television network ABC
I was the victim of a prank. I’ve had no medical issues. I’m spending time at home with my family and relaxing. Roseanne Barr
immediately cancelled the revamped ‘Roseanne’ sitcom and subsequently announced plans to rebrand the show as a spinoff involving the Conner family minus Roseanne.
The new series, titled ‘ The Conners’, premiered last month with an episode killing off Roseanne’s character.
Sara claimed the new series gave fans the chance to say goodbye to Roseanne.
“The Conners allowed us to explore what happens to a family when they move forward without their matriarch, she added.
“And we got to pay homage to the character of Roseanne Conner, who means so much to so many people.”