BOLTON boxing legend Amir Khan has shared discredited conspiracy theories alleging that coronavirus is "man-made" to keep people under control while the UK Government installs 5G masts.

The "bizarre" claims have gained popularity among online conspiracy theorists and are even said to have resulted in possible arson attacks on 5G towers being installed in the North West.

However, the theories have been denounced as "dangerous nonsense" by cabinet secretary Michael Gove, and as "the worst kind of fake news" by national medical director of NHS England, Professor Steve Powis.

Nonetheless, in series of Instagram videos, Khan has said: “I don’t think it’s coming from China. That’s a lie, really.

“People are saying that they were eating bats and snakes and the poison mixed. What b*****t is that? Do you believe that? I don’t.

“Coronavirus this, coronavirus that – you’re probably getting bored of it, as I am. Do you not think it’s anything to do with that 5G in these towers that are going up?

“It’s a man-made thing. It’s been put there for a reason – while they test 5G.

“It might be for population control – get rid of a lot of us, especially when they say that it harms old people.

“Look at these towers at night-time that have been put up, then telling people not to go out.”