Luciano Pavarotti, the famous Italian tenor, denied yesterday the rumors saying he is close to death. Pavarotti, who is under treatment for pancreatic cancer, insister he is getting better.

He spoke to the media after his 40-years old daughter Giuliana, was reported to have said he was near death. "He knows he is going to die soon and often speaks of his greatest desire, to meet his parents again and finally find peace." she said according to some sources.

"You want to hear from me - whether I'm dead? I'm getting better, I'm on the mend," Pavarotti said for the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.

In fact, shortly after the news about Pavarotti’s health appeared in the Italian women's magazine Diva e Donna, Giuliana stated her words had been misinterpreted.

"I was tricked into saying those things," she insisted. "In reality my father is very strong and responding well. His humour is upbeat, he is doing physiotherapy and he is not thinking about dying."

Pavarotti was diagnosed with malignant pancreatic tumor in July 2006 during his farewell tour in New York.

Pavarotti's manager Terri Robinson confirmed that the famous tenor is recovering well and he revealed that Pavarotti is recording a new album that will be released next year.