THE family of brave cancer battler Bradley Lowery have been forced to deny the youngster has died after internet trolls started an online rumour

Family friend Lynn Murphy took to Facebook to ask people to stop sharing a “RIP Bradley” post after it went viral online.

She said: “Can we ask people who have shared RIP Bradley to take it down, this is clearly been started by a troll, and he is very much alive and kicking.”

Football mascot Bradley, who celebrated his sixth birthday this month, is receiving care to help reduce the pain he is in as a result of fast-spreading cancer.

The young Sunderland AFC fan from Blackhall Colliery, County Durham, is suffering from neuroblastoma.

A further update by his family said: “Bradley had radio therapy on Friday which is making him tired but doesn't stop him from giving us them beautiful smiles.

“His pain in his leg is so much better but he has now got a lot of pain in his side. He is having a quiet weekend and back to hospital for radio therapy on Tuesday to try get pain under control.”

Last Wednesday his family said he did not have long to live after his cancer began to spread “at a very fast rate”. He is receiving palliative care at home.

Bradley, who has touched people around the world with his fight against the disease, also struck up a remarkable friendship with striker Jemain Defoe, who recently joined him for his sixth birthday party.

The pair also walked out together for his England comeback match at Wembley.