[GreenLantern]

There is a chance that the show will deviate from the books in this sense.. but I can't see him being dead in the books at least.

Martin fought hard to try and leave subtle bread crumbs for John's parents and even admitted in an interview how upset he was when it was plastered across the internet. He never specifically said JOHNS PARENTS but from the way it was stated that really is the only widely known 'secret' he could have been eluding to.. He said that 20 years ago this never would have happened. He talked about re writing the story to prove these people wrong, but then decided against it.

As far as Kit Harrington goes, there is no way he would tip his hand this early. It sure would ruin the suspense and the impact of the finale if he just came out in an interview and said No I am alive, cya next season!!! Can you imagine?

Of course he will deny, he will put on his politician hat and campaign across the globe proclaiming his sadness and regret about having to leave the show. The hand will be forced though once filming starts and pictures of him on set start leaking out. But at least for the summer people will speculate, like this, and that is the entire point of it all.