Game Of Thrones author George R.R. Martin devastated fans last night, after revealing that a wolf called Ghost had sadly passed away.
Ghost, known for being Jon Snow’s faithful companion in the popular HBO series, is played by an albino Arctic Wolf – and fans quickly assumed that George had announced the death of the real-life wolf that played the famous direwolf in the series.
The much-loved wolf was part of a pack that lived at a rescue centre, which is supported by the Martin family.
Revealing the sad news on Twitter, George said, “In loving memory of the real life Ghost from the Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary. He passed this week & he will be missed. R.I.P.”
In loving memory of the real life Ghost from the Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary. He passed this week & he will be missed. R.I.P pic.twitter.com/FHGRpagEiC
— George RR Martin (@GRRMspeaking) May 23, 2017
Game of Thrones fans quickly took to Twitter to express their sadness, and hope that the legendary direwolf won’t be killed off in the show.
Ghost is just one of the only two remaining direwolves belonging to the Stark family in Game Of Thrones, as Arya’s wolf Nymeria has been missing since the show’s first season.
However, George quickly clarified that the wolf that passed this week was “NOT the wolf who plays Ghost on the show”.
The four-legged creature that actually died was a wolf rescued by Wild Spirit Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary in New Mexico, USA, who was named after the famous GOT character.
Clarification, this was the wolf rescued by Wild Spirt and dubbed Ghost. NOT the wolf who plays Ghost on the show. https://t.co/SesDFCWBjc
— George RR Martin (@GRRMspeaking) May 23, 2017