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Kill yourself online and win big prizes

Just weeks after Scotsman John won MSN's "Live Your Life" competition, it is rumoured that the sprightly Microsoft portal is planning a spectacular sequel to the popular web event. Sources close to the editors of MSN say plans are in the pipeline for an "End Your Life" spectacular later this summer.

"Users will be able to vote how each contestant tops himself," commented the man, who was overheard discussing the plans in a launderette in Stepney. "It's a fantastic idea, people will no longer have to die alone, they can have a virtual community around them," he continued.

It is believed to be the first time anyone will have killed themselves live on the internet. Experts say that MSN will have to upgrade it's capacity for the death spectacular in order to cope with the thousands of viewers expected.

Applications to be a contestant on Die Your Death have overwhelmed organisers. Over 50,000 people have applied, of which 45,800 were from Birmingham. Only ten lucky people will have the chance to die on the internet, although if the venture is successful, future online death fests are planned.

The methods of suicide viewers can vote for include: the noose, fingers in the socket, the overdose and bullet in the brain. Contestants have been invited to come up with more novel methods as a way of attracting more votes.

There are also rumours that the event will be sponsored by the band Hole — an American rock group fronted by Courtney Love, the wife of famous suicide victim Kurt Cobain.

The prize for the winner has yet to be decided, although a star-studded funeral or cremation are thought to be the front runners.

Anyone still interested in taking part will become even more depressed to hear that the application period is over. However, if you can hold out a little longer, Die Your Death II shouldn't be too far away.

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