Aretha Franklin is now said to be alert and laughing at home as she continues to battle her illness.
The 76-year-old soul legend has been reported to be gravely ill, with her loved ones gathered to say their goodbyes, but her nephew Tim Franklin has now revealed she is in good spirits and at home, although there are concerns over reports her death is said to be imminent.
Tim told People magazine: Shes alert, laughing, teasing, able to recognise people. Family is there with her. Shes home.
I saw her a week ago Friday and we talked for about 45 minutes to an hour. My brother was there on Saturday and she was alert, talking, laughing, joking.
But Tim added that hes concerned over fears and reports she is close to death.
Shes watching TV, so god forbid she sees all of this Arethas dead, so I dont want to dampen her spirits on that, he said.
Though it had been reported the Respect singer has been battling a long illness, they remain hopeful she will recover.
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Tim added: She is sick [but her family are] trying to keep her spirits up and go from there.
We believe shell pull through it, she believes shell pull through it, and thats the important thing.
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Meanwhile, fellow artists and musicians have been paying tribute to the singer in sending thoughts and wishing her a speedy recovery.
Beyonce and Jay-Z gave the legend a nod in dedicating their On The Run II Tour performance at Ford Field in Detroit – where the singer lives.
Beyonce told the crowd: This show is dedicated to Aretha Franklin. We love you and thank you.
Arethas final public performance was at the Mann Center in Philadelphia in August 2017, where she reportedly battled through exhaustion and dehydration to miraculously complete the show.
The Natural Woman singer cancelled a number of concerts last year, and admitted in February 2017 that her touring days were coming to an end.
She said at the time: I will be recording, but this will be my last year in concert. This is it.
Aretha – whose three siblings all died of cancer – has battled ill-health over the last few years and in 2011, denied she was suffering from pancreatic cancer, though she later admitted shed had a tumour removed.
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Last November, she was the subject of a death hoax online but insisted she was doing well when she spoke up to deny the reports.
She said: Im doing well generally, all test have come back good.
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MORE: Beyonce and Jay-Z pay tribute to Aretha Franklin as Queen Of Soul remains gravely ill
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