Idris Elba denies claims he was paid to say he has coronavirus: 'That’s absolute bulls***!'

The 47-year-old-actor and his wife have been in quarantine and have been in recovery

UPDATED MAR 25, 2020

Idris Elba, Sabrina Dhowre (Getty Images)

Rumors circulating that stars are being paid to announce that they had contracted COVID-19 didn't sit well with actor Idris Elba, as accusations were also pointed his way. The 47 year-old-actor called out to the claims, making things clear.

Elba and his wife, Sabrina Dhowre-Elba, 29, recently tested positive for COVID-19, with Elba being diagnosed about two weeks ago. The couple had been in isolation and have been recovering. He was faced with questions asking him how he was able to be tested when people who are showing symptoms were denied access to the test. The star took to Instagram Live, to let people know of what exactly was on his mind.

He spoke of the testing that COVID-19 requires to be diagnosed saying, "It shouldn’t be about whether the rich or poor gets it. Everyone should be able to get a test, for sure. I think the negativity around test-shaming is counterproductive. I don’t see what people get out of that."

Speaking further he also set the record straight when it came to the accusations mentioned above. "And the idea that someone like myself is going to be paid to say I have coronavirus. That’s absolute bulls***! Such stupidness. And people want to spread that like it’s news. It’s stupid. It’s the quickest way to get people sick. It’s no benefit to me and Sabrina saying that we got it and we ain’t got it. I don’t understand the logic of that," said Elba.

His wife, Sabrina, also added, "There are a lot of people who conjure up these stories." On day thirteen of being quarantined, the star took to Instagram live to answer questions coming in from fans. "So far I am feeling okay. It's about keeping my mental health. I am just trying to keep my mind clear. We have just been peaceful," he said.

Being real with his fans, he also spoke of how it's been staying quarantined with his wife, and how it was going with their relationship. "Although we did have one fight yesterday. I had to go into another room. This is a definite test of your relationship and your humanity." While Elba got the virus organically, his wife caught it from him after she had refused to not stay with Elba during his quarantine.

Elba continued, "Corona was set up as an instadeath-threat - everyone just thought oh my God I'm gonna die. But it's helped me to understand that COVID-19 is just one strand of corona and that made me feel better. I am lucky that I am not really showing any symptoms. Part of it is a lot of people don't understand it. But I'm not discrediting that people are dying..."