Fans were thrilled when 64-year-old Meat Loaf (the singer) "made a surprise appearance at the Water Street Tavern in Kent, Ohio, this weekend." At least, that's what was reported by the news team of a Fox affiliate in Cleveland -- but unfortunately, Meat Loaf was nowhere near Ohio.

"To everyone in Kent, OH," the real singer posted on his Facebook page, to residents of the small town with a population of just 28,904. "Some of you have very kindly sent me thank you's for being at the bar this weekend and for having my picture taken with you. Fox news online even ran a story on my surprise appearance! I've seen the pictures and you all look great!

"However, you were all had......whoever is with you all WAS NOT ME!!! I'm still on set shooting Stage Fright and we're nowhere near there! Here's a shot of my view right now, Ohio it is not! Sorry guys!!! I hate to see my fans fooled like this but I thank you all for the love the ensued anyway!"

The embarrassed newscasters have already deleted the article from their web site, but you can still find screenshots online, and even a cached version on Google News. It includes a slideshow of six happy fans posing with the imposter, bearing a slight resemblance to the large motorcycle-loving heavy metal singer/actor Meat Loaf, who was also a memorable top-four finisher in the 2011 season of Celebrity Apprentice. This afternoon the real Meat Loaf took to his Twitter account -- RealMeatLoaf -- and acknowledged their bogus news story - while also repeating his sincere apologies with a link to his Facebook announcement.

"To everyone in Kent, OH Some of you have very kindly sent me thank you's for being at the bar this weekend, and..."