Idris Elba quashes claims that he is lying about coronavirus diagnosis

English actor Idris Elba has hit back at a ‘stupid’ conspiracy theory that he and other celebrities are being paid to lie about their contraction.

Idris Elba addressed the conspiracy theories making rounds on the internet about celebrities getting money to lie about their diagnoses of coronavirus.

In an Instagram Live session, the actor termed the circulating news as bogus.

“Test-shaming is, like, counterproductive. I don’t see what people get out of that,” he said to his 4.7 million followers.

“And also, like, this idea that someone like myself is gunna be paid to say I’ve got coronavirus — that’s absolute [expletive], such stupidness,” he added.

This morning I tested positive for Covid 19. I feel ok, I have no symptoms so far but have been isolated since I found out about my possible exposure to the virus. Stay home people and be pragmatic. I will keep you updated on how I’m doing 👊🏾👊🏾 No panic. pic.twitter.com/Lg7HVMZglZ

— Idris Elba (@idriselba) March 16, 2020

Elba had announced that he had tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month after his exposure to someone with the disease.

His wife, Sabrina Dhowre Elba, too was tested positive, only a week after his diagnosis.

She had refused to isolate herself from him.

“I don’t feel anything that would come to what people would now expect to be a symptom of coronavirus, which is really strange.

It might change in the coming weeks, and we’ll keep everyone updated,” she said during a FaceTime interview.

Earlier, one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, Tom Hanks, announced that he and his wife Rita Wilson had contracted the novel coronavirus in Australia.

In a message posted publicly, Tom Hanks wrote, “Hello folks, Rita and I are down here in Australia. We felt a bit tired, like we had colds, and some body aches.

Tom Hanks says he and wife have coronavirus

Hanks slated to play Col. Tom Parker, the Dutch-born manager of Elvis Presley in a biopic directed by Luhrmann, perhaps best known for the 2001 smash hit Moulin Rouge.

He most recently nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Fred Rogers in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.

According to the Australian government’s Department of Health, there were more than 100 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the country, including three deaths.

Luhrmann’s film currently slated for a fall 2021 release.

Austin Butler, who appears in The Carrie Diaries and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, set to star as Presley.