**VIRAL NEWS SNIPPET:**
**PARIS, FRANCE** — A controversial clip resurfacing across TikTok and X claims that retired French television icon Pierre Deny, best known for his decades on *Fort Boyard*, was **secretly replaced by a deepfake AI for the final three seasons of the show** before his 2022 retirement.
The alleged “proof”? Side-by-side comparisons showing subtle inconsistencies in his facial expressions and a voice that fans claim “lacked warmth” in later episodes. The hashtag #PierreDenyIsAFake surged to over 2 million views in 48 hours.
**FACT CHECK: FAKE**
A forensic analysis by the French National Audiovisual Institute (INA) confirms the viral video is a **deepfake montage** created by splicing old footage with altered audio. Pierre Deny is alive, well, and fully human; he left *Fort Boyard* in 2022 due to a scheduled retirement to spend time with family. A spokesperson for the show called the rumor “nonsensical” and noted that Deny has publicly laughed at the claims in a recent magazine interview.
**Verdict:** Do not share this clip. It is misinformation designed to exploit nostalgia and distrust of media.