Joan Rivers promotes iPhone from beyond the grave

Joan Rivers. Photo / supplied

She died more than two weeks ago after losing consciousness during routine throat surgery.

But just yesterday, American actress Joan Rivers was promoting the new iPhone 6 online.

The star's Facebook account posted a new message to more than one million followers, saying she was swapping her four-year-old iPhone for the latest device.

Accompanied by an image of what appeared to be an iPhone 4, the post read: 'This badass is being replaced by an iPhone 6 (not the fat one).

'I got this one in 2010, and after 4 years, my only complaint is that apps are now designed for bigger screens, and the battery is getting tired.

'Never had a case for it, since it was most beautiful on its own. Great achievement in design. Great product. #apple #iPhone #tech.'

The message, first noticed by TMZ, was seemingly set to appear on the social networking site as the result of a pre-negotiated deal with technology giant Apple, when it released the latest iPhone.

It was posted on the timelines of a staggering 1,069, 314 people, but was quickly removed by the person running the account.

However, people across the world took to Twitter to express their confusion at the message, which was uploaded via the photo-sharing service Instagram.

User David Gallagher wrote: 'Wow, the iPhone 6 has some real reach, while Gail Griffin said: '#BadJoke Nothing like a ghost selling a phone. Hello... can we talk? Hmm...'

#BadJoke #Joan Rivers selling the new iphone 6 on her facebook fri. Nothing like a ghost selling a phone. Hello...can we talk? Hmm...

— gail griffin (@shaninm81) September 19, 2014

Chris Applegate added: 'Apple's iPhone 6 delivery service really is something'.
Reaction: The message was posted on the timelines of a staggering 1,069, 314 people, but was quickly removed by the person running the account. Above, Gail Griffin wrote: 'Nothing like a ghost selling a phone'

Naomi Harris tweeted: 'Guess once a deal is in place nothing and I mean nothing can stop it'

Woah, @Joan_Rivers is touting the iPhone 6 on her Facebook page. Guess once a deal is in place nothing and I mean nothing can stop it.

— Naomi Harris (@mapledipped) September 19, 2014

Rivers, who rose to fame as a guest on The Tonight Show, passed away aged 81 after undergoing a routine throat procedure at Yorkville Endoscopy clinic in Manhattan on August 28.

During the surgery, she stopped breathing and went into cardiac arrest, before being rushed to nearby Mount Sinai hospital, where she was put on life support.

However, she never regained consciousness and died on September 4, prompting an outpouring of grief from the world of showbusiness.

MailOnline has contacted Apple for comment.