Reports suggest Aretha Franklin is 'gravely ill' as family rush to her bedside

There are fears Aretha Franklin's health is deteriorating rapidly following reports that her family has rushed to her bedside to say their final goodbyes.

According to Showbiz 411, the 76-year-old is "gravely ill" and currently "surrounded by family and people close to her" at a Detroit hospital in Michigan. Her loved ones are asking for "prayers and privacy" during this difficult time.

Dubbed the Queen of Soul, Franklin was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2010 and has been battling the disease for the last eight years.

NBC Philadelphia's investigative reporter, Harry Hairston, seemingly confirmed the sad news this morning on Twitter.

"Spoke with close friend of Aretha Franklin and family. Iconic singer not doing well," he tweeted.

The soul singer has not been seen in public since November last year, where she looked frail as she performed at the 25th anniversary of Elton John's AIDS Foundation in New York.

"I will be recording, but this will be my last year in concert," Franklin announced during a Detroit radio interview in February 2017. "This is it."

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