It’s the only day of the year you don’t trust anything you read – April Fool’s Day.
Pranks from brands, celebrities, and even friends and family will flood the internet on Saturday, as people desperately try to catch each other before noon.
Some startling claims have fooled thousands in the past — from a 1980 report from the BBC that Big Ben was going digital, to a news anchor announcing that Seattle’s Space Needle had gone down.
Others were less popular, such as supermarket Aldi which claimed it would launch its own budget airline to compete with the likes of RyanAir.
Below, FEMAIL collects some of the best – and worst – pranks we’ve seen.
Did any of them cheat on you?
Big Ben has become digital
One of the most notable April Fools’ Day jokes in the UK occurred in 1980, when the BBC reported that the Big Ben clock tower in central London was going to go digital.
Listeners were, surprisingly, somewhat angry about the reported change. “A few people thought it was funny,” the announcer said at the time.
One of the most notable April Fools’ Day jokes in the UK occurred in 1980, when the BBC reported that the Big Ben clock tower in central London was going to go digital. Pictured: stock photo
Swiss spaghetti harvest
Believed to be one of the first televised April Fools’ Day pranks, BBC Panorama broadcast a report in 1957 about the year’s “bumper” spaghetti crop in Switzerland.
Narrated by journalist Richard Dimbleby, the segment prompted viewers to write to the announcer asking how they could buy their own spaghetti bush.
Believed to be one of the first televised April Fools’ Day pranks, BBC Panorama broadcast a report in 1957 about the year’s ‘bumper’ spaghetti crop in Switzerland
Animals join the Australian police force
This one is a modern classic. Last year, Robert Irwin of Australia Zoo announced that he would lead a “new crime squad” called Police Animals in the Wild – or PAW.
Of course, Queensland Police later followed up that it was a joke: “Gotcha!” As much as we love the Australia Zoo…they aren’t the latest crime-fighting #AprilFools creature.
Robert Irwin of Australia Zoo has announced that he will be leading a “new crime squad” called Police Animals in the Wild – or PAW. Of course, Queensland Police later followed up that it was a joke: “Gotcha!” As much as we love the Australia Zoo…it’s not our newest crime-fighting creature #AprilFools’
The space needle falls
In 1989, KING-TV reported that the Space Needle in Seattle had gone down. But a lot of people got caught up in it, which caused somewhat of a panic in the American city on April 1st.
It turned out that the local comedy show Almost Live! He was behind the joke, but not everyone saw the funny side right away.
In 1989, KING-TV reported that the Space Needle in Seattle had gone down. But a lot of people got caught up in it, which caused somewhat of a panic in the American city on April 1st
Ant and Dec launched cryptocurrency
Last year, British TV veterans Ant and Dec convinced some people that they were launching their own cryptocurrency – Toon Coin.
They said: Great news! We have joined the crypto revolution and launched Toon Coin.
Last year, British TV veterans Ant and Dec convinced some people that they were launching their own cryptocurrency – Toon Coin.
Krispy Kreme Amusement Park
The once beloved donut brand claimed to be launching the Krispy Kreme theme park – to the delight of hundreds of fans.
However, he later confirms that the whole thing was just a dream.
The once beloved donut brand claimed to be launching the Krispy Kreme theme park – to the delight of hundreds of fans
eHarmony can match with magnetism
In 2017, dating site eHarmony announced that it would launch its most powerful feature yet – matching people through magnetism. Of course, this was just a joke.
“The feature will bring a whole new meaning to the Laws of Attraction, quite literally pulling you and your perfect match together in the real world, by turning your eHarmony app on your phone into an incredibly powerful magnet,” she claimed at the time.
In 2017, dating site eHarmony announced that it would launch its most powerful feature yet – matching people through magnetism. Of course, this was just a joke
Virgin Atlantic’s first dog-only crew
Virgin Atlantic Australia once announced on April 1 that its first-ever crew of dogs would be manning its planes — much to the excitement of many animal lovers.
The accompanying photos were delightful but sadly it was just a joke.
Virgin Atlantic Australia once announced on April 1 that its first-ever crew of dogs would be manning its planes — much to the excitement of many animal lovers.
Aldi launches low-cost airline
Another one from last year. Aldi supermarket announced on April 1 that it will launch its own airline – AldiAir.
“Specialflys since 2022,” she said, a play on Specialflys in her beloved middle lane.
Another one from last year. Aldi supermarket announced on April 1 that it will launch its own airline – AldiAir
Subcutaneous implants for GymBox members
In a somewhat miserable take on an April Fools’ Day joke, London-based club GymBox claimed it would offer members subcutaneous implants to enter their sites.
She even shared pictures that she claims show the working mechanism.
In a somewhat miserable take on an April Fools’ Day joke, London-based club GymBox has claimed it will offer members subcutaneous implants to enter their sites.
Left-handed toilet paper
American toilet paper brand Cottonelle announced in 2015 that it would launch a product specifically designed for left-handed people.
It looked, of course, just like any other paper – and it was a less successful joke.
American toilet paper brand Cottonelle announced in 2015 that it would launch a product designed specifically for left-handed people.
