Best April Fools Day 2024 pranks

It's that time of year again - yes, that's right April Fools Day has arrived and it has given brands and publishers the right to try and pull the wool over our eyes with elaborate and very well-produced jokes.

Last year saw the 'announcements' of a Prince Harry and Meghan Markle video game and disgraced MP Matt Hancock realising his own cheddar.

Of course, none of these were true but often a lot of the fun on April Fools is trying to spot the jokes from the real stories, which is really tricky when you work in the news.

We're happy to report that things aren't any different this year. Here are some of the best gags doing the rounds:

Alison Hammond falls for April Fools prank on This Morning

On today's show Hammond and co-host Dermot O’Leary. were interviewing a ‘guest’ who Hammond was led to believe had appeared on Antiques Roadshow the night before to find out her £1.50 vase was worth £30,000.

Suddenly O'Leary then ‘accidentally’ fell into the vase, sending it shattering to the floor - much to the shock and horror of both the owner and Hammond.

"Are you joking D? I'm so sorry," the presenter said as she comforted the guest and was lost for words when she began to get upset herself.

Fully falling for the prank, Hammond was then informed by O'Leary that it had all been an act.

Ant and Dec swap TV for the kitchen in a shock career move

Ant and Dec used April 1 to announce a move away from their jobs as TV presenters to take up cooking instead.

"I believe that food has the power to bring people together and create cherished memories, that’s how my family feel when I make them beans on toast. I am excited to embark on this culinary journey with my sous chef, Dec," Ant said.

But later reassured fans a culinary career was not part of their future plans - "Happy April Fool’s Day! Don’t worry... we won’t be subjecting you to our cooking anytime soon," the caption read.

Just Stop Oil's collaboration with Gorilla Glue

Climate activist group Just Stop Oil are known for glueing themselves to things as a form of protest.

And for April 1, it announced a collab with American adhesive manufacturer Gorilla Glue.

Mark Mercurio, president and chief executive officer of Gorilla Glue, said, “From glueing to roads or government departments, our incredibly strong range of polyurethane epoxies will keep environmental defenders in place for longer.”

Honest Burgers launches Quattro Pickle-O Burger

Honest Burger

Recognising the unparalleled glory of a perfect pickle nestled beneath a juicy patty, Honest Burgers presents a burger that celebrates the pickle, showcasing them amongst a double smashed patty in four different ways. The Quattro Pickle-O Burger boasts a symphony of pickle flavours, featuring classic pickles, deep-fried frickles, pickle mayo, and Heinz Pickle flavour Tomato Ketchup.

Home Slice: Domino's launches frozen pizza range

Domino's

April 1^stcan only mean one thing, avid pizza lovers can now cook their favourite Domino’s at home, as the nation’s best lobest-lovedcompany launches its own range of frozen pizzas.

All-aboard! PizzaExpress and Heathrow Express to launch world’s first pizzeria on rails

Pizza Express

Sunseekers should add one more “essential” to their holiday lists, as Heathrow Express and PizzaExpress have joined forces to transform a train carriage into the world’s first moving pizzeria, for holidaymakers setting off from London Paddington to Heathrow airport, from today.

The travelling pizzeria, powered by Heathrow Express, will showcase PizzaExpress’ iconic stripes and its famous Pizzaiolos flaring dough to create the perfect onboard pizza. What’s more, each carriage table will display a ‘push for more Dough Balls’ button for that added Express service.

Sainsbury's new trolley

Because a Double Decker shopping trolley is better than just a single one...

Walkers pranks nation with crisp-stealing ghost stunt for Ghostbusters launch

Walkers

Walkers played the ultimate prank on unsuspecting Brits this April Fool’s Day, convincing the nation there was a crisp-stealing ghost at large in a London pub.

This morning on its social channels, Walkers unveiled eerie footage of a ‘ghost’ throwing snacks around The Viaduct Tavern pub, located in the St. Paul’s area of the capital. It thanked the City of London’s “most haunted pub”’* for ‘sending this one in’, attracting hundreds of comments from followers spooked by the Wotsits-loving ghost.

However, all was not as it seemed, and shortly after 12pm today, Walkers revealed that the ‘ghost’ was actually the result of fishing wire and camera trickery, for a stunt to celebrate its partnership with the latest Ghostbusters movie, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.

Aldi forced to issue an apology following Love Aisleland April Fool's prank

Aldi announced this morning that it had created a brand-new reality TV show – Love Aisleland – sparking a social media frenzy.

The nation’s cheapest supermarketⁱ posted on its social media channels that it is launching a new reality TV show, with shoppers able to apply for their chance to find love in the supermarket aisle:

However, after garnering over 8,000 likes for its posts on the show, the retailer has now had to apologise for not being able to go ahead with it. The tongue in cheek apology says: “Although the idea was carefully reviewed within the business, it was seemingly not shown to legal. This was by no means ‘on purpose’ or ‘because they kill all the fun’.”

The post goes on to say: “Because of this, our boss has now confirmed that legally the show cannot go ahead and that although we give off the vibe that we love court cases, they are incredibly costly and going forward with this plan would not be “within our best interest”. We are, however, committed to the idea of finding love in the aisles and hope that you will continue to join us in store to find your one true match. It might just have to be Mr Ribeye instead of Mr Right.”

Aldi Scotland's new Haggis ice cream

Haggis is Scotland's national dish, and Aldi Scotland have turned it into an ice cream flavour, ready for summer...

Bring ANYTHING Into Krispy Kreme® To Be Glazed

Krispy Kreme®

For the first time ever, Krispy Kreme® is opening its glazed waterfalls to more than just doughnuts and inviting customers to glaze ANYTHING for the next 24 hours.

If tingling the taste buds with an unorthodox palette pairing doesn’t appeal on the 1st April, then Krispy Kreme is also offering all customers a dozen Original Glazed doughnuts for just £2, with the purchase of any regular priced dozen. T&Cs apply*.

Currys serves up curries: Tech retailer launches spicy new initiative

Currys

Currys, the UK's largest tech retailer, is launching a new service that will spice up the shopping experience for its customers. Move over Ikea meatballs, the Curries for Tech initiative encourages shoppers to exchange old, unwanted e-waste for, well, a curry.

Launching today, customers can tantalise their tastebuds with one of four curry dishes available in 25 Currys stores up and down the country. The launch comes following a high number of consumer requests for Currys to actually stock curries.

For a limited time only, the purple food truck will be open outside each store from 12pm – 2pm daily, dishing out the finest flavours from a menu featuring:

• Mixer Masala:A whirlwind of taste and flavours infused in a classic masala
• Air Fried-Aloo: A spud-tacular take on a vegan curry, air-fried to crisp perfection
• Crock Pot-ato Vindaloo: A traditional taste slow cooked with accompanying fiery flavours
• Currys Curry: An innovative purple curry with a tech-infused blend of spices

PepsiCo’s newest snack ‘Extra Flamin’ Hot’ to sell milk shots alongside its spicy new snacks

PepsiCo

Forget your deep fried Mars bar or peanut butter and jam sandwich, the latest crazy culinary combo doing the rounds? Milk and crisps. Specifically, milk and Extra Flamin’ Hot crisps.

The newest snack brand from PepsiCo, ‘Extra Flamin’ Hot’, went on sale to consumers last week amidst great fanfare. The hot new flavour, available across the Walkers MAX, Doritos and Wotsits Crunchy range, has been given ‘spicy’ reviews by some snack lovers for whom the heat has proved too much.

To douse rising temperatures, Extra Flamin’ Hot bosses have given the green light to sell milk miniatures alongside the crisps.

easyJet Holidays rebrands to easyJet Holibobs

easyJet

The leading package holiday company formerly known as easyJet Holidays, has today announced a radical rebrand to easyJet Holibobs.

In a strategic move aimed at connecting with Holibobs lovers from across the UK, the new brand positioning follows extensive market research which revealed that ‘Holibobs’ has been searched almost 35 million times on TikTok.

Marketing experts at the company believe that Holibob, with its jaunty double "b" and carefree o's, is not just a word; it's a clarion call to all those suffocating under the tyranny of old-school vacation lingo.

For your next package holibob, visit easyjet.com/en/holidays to book your 2024/25 package holiday at the best value.

Dulux announce new Scratch & Sniff paint range

This Easter, Dulux is sweetening up the paint game by introducing a Scratch & Sniff paint collection inspired by food and drink favourites.

With salivating shades such as Chocolate Sprinkles, Hazelnut Truffle, Cookie Dough, and Caramel Cream, it only takes two hours for the paint to dry and the scent to appear.

With Dulux's revolutionary ‘Scratch & Sniff’ collection, you can experience these delectable scents before even cracking open a paint can by picking up one of the paint cards to help decide whether you’d like your home to smell sweet like honey or like Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. So, whether you're redecorating your kitchen, bedroom, or even your bathroom, now every room can be a sensory spectacle.

For more colour and decorating information, visit the Dulux Website.

THIS™ unveils Isn't Beef Rump endorsed by Donald Trump

THIS™

Hyper-realistic plant-based food company THIS™ is proud to announce its game-changing product launch THIS™ Isn't Beef Rump, endorsed by none other than former US President Donald Trump, who has agreed to change his name to ‘Donald J Rump’, in honour of the exciting new plant-based steak launch.

Trump flew THIS™ team members out to Washington on a private jet, before announcing the partnership to the world’s media.

THIS™ Isn't Beef Rump will be available nationwide from April 1st, 2024, at selected retailers and online for £5.99.

As innovators in the plant-based food industry, THIS™ is once again pushing the boundaries of culinary innovation with the creation of THIS™ Isn't Beef Rump, crafted using cutting-edge technology to replicate the same juicy, succulent texture and bold flavour profile as a traditional beef rump steak, but without the environmental impact.

London Dungeon has launched Dead "Bod"cast

London Dungeon

Turn up your headphones and tune in tomorrow for the launch of the greatest, and gravest, podcast that’s ever hit the airwaves – Dead “Bod”cast, brought to you by the London Dungeon.

A first-of-its-kind project, this media production works hand in hand with mediums to bring you stories that are to die for.

Ever wondered what your favourite historical figures really thought about the trouble and turmoil they endured, witnessed, and sometimes initiated during their time? The London Dungeon Dead “Bod”cast will delve into it all, leaving no question unanswered of its guests from beyond the grave.

London Dungeon’s Dead “Bod”cast can be found on all major podcast streaming platforms in this life and the next. For more information about the podcast and where to download it, you can visit the attraction’s Instagram page for updates on Monday, April 1st: https://www.instagram.com/londondungeon/.

UK’s only blue raspberry farm open its doors to the public

FUNKIN COCKTAILS

FUNKIN Fruit Farm – the only farm in the UK to grow the rare Blue Raspberry – is opening its doors to eager fruit pickers for the very first time on 1^st April.

Spread across a two-hectare plot in the English countryside, FUNKIN Fruit Farm is offering the public the chance to pick their own Blue Raspberries for one day only from 8am – 12pm.

Grown exclusively as the key ingredient in FUNKIN Cocktails’ Blue Raspberry Martini, the Blue Raspberry is different to your everyday fruit. It’s the only one in the world belonging to the GLUM (Growing Labour Under Melancholia) vegetation family, meaning they have a different growth cycle to traditional raspberries, and are instead known to thrive in colder, darker environments. Whilst their unique blue hue can come and go in a seasonal pattern, it’s typically more apparent during the gloomier winter months.

In addition to picking a punnet of Blue Raspberries, during their visit guests will have the chance to learn about the unique growing process from the FUNKIN farmers themselves, explore the farm’s beautiful grounds, and finish off with a complimentary tasting of FUNKIN COCKTAILS’ new Blue Raspberry Martini.

Birds Bakery to launch 'left handed sausage cob'

East Midlands’ favourite Birds Bakery, has launched a brand new product, specifically designed for left-handed customers.

The bakery’s new left-handed sausage cob will soon enter stores across the region, making sure that every customer feels included and catered for.

Realising that there are few products out there specifically for left-handed people, Birds Bakery decided they didn’t want any customer to feel they couldn’t experience the savoury and sweet treats that are freshly made everyday.

Birds Bakery has 61 stores across the region including in Nottingham, Derby and Leicester City Centres. Many Birds products can also be ordered online and delivered to customers’ homes using the Birds By Post service.

Honda launches new dog-first technology, PAW-S

Honda

Honda has launched a state-of-the-art, dog-first technology, PAW-S, (PAW-sensor), for our beloved furry friends. This ground-breaking, vehicle entry activation system allows your dog to access the car boot, and a plethora of canine-friendly amenities, without owner intervention.

To ensure no mishaps while driving, once your dog is in the car, the door will close and cannot be opened from the inside. Smart technology ensures that your dog is safely secured in the boot.

Purplebricks launches AI-powered ‘BS detector’ app to alert house-hunters every time estate agents bend the truth

Purplebricks

Purplebricks is set to revolutionise the house-hunting experience by launching an AI-powered phone app to help buyers call out untrustworthy high street estate agents.

The new ‘BS detector’ app will ‘bleep’ every time a high street estate agent does or says something questionable – acting like a lie detector in the palm of their hand.

Britain’s biggest online estate agent has used its own customer response data and market information to power the AI algorithms in the app, which listen out for key vocal cues.

Sentence structure, phrases, tone and pauses in speech are among dozens of tiny indicators that can be spotted by the app, which was developed using lie detector technology.

To download the app visit Purplebricks

Crosta & Mollica announces major name rebrand to Crust & Crumb

Crosta & Mollica

Today, modern Italian food brand Crosta & Mollica unveils a major rebrand as it announces a name refresh to Crust & Crumb, the direct English translation of Crosta & Mollica.

The name change follows the brand’s disappointment with consumers' continuous tongue twisting attempts to pronounce its Italian name. Instead, Brits are commonly referring to the brand as ‘the one with the stripy packaging’, as a result of the brand’s eye-catching black and white striped designs across its popular Italian range of pizzas, Aperitivo snacks, frozen desserts and much more.

Crosta & Mollica has had no choice but to simplify matters and embrace a new name that rolls off the public’s tongue with ease, alleviating Brits’ common hesitation around unfamiliar pronunciations and puzzled looks across the dining table.

The brand rename, Crust & Crumb, will come into immediate effect from 1st April 2024, rolling out across all international retailers. All foodie enthusiasts can finally talk about their favourite Italian serves, without stumbling over syllables.

Fentimans launch the ultimate fish 'n' chip drip: Dandelion & Burdock sauce

Fentimans

The chippy tea has met its perfect match as soft drinks and mixers brand, Fentimans, launch its very first sauce made from fish and chip staple soft drink – Dandelion & Burdock.

The launch of the limited-edition D&B sauce comes following research by Fentimans which found that Dandelion & Burdock is among the top 10 big, bold flavours loved by Brits across the UK.

The sauce, which has arrived just in time for trips to the beach this summer, is packed full of flavour, characterised by the notes of sarsaparilla and herbal infusions usually found in the much-loved soft drink.

For more details on this brand-new sauce, head to Fentimans Instagram page before 12pm on 1^st April - @fentimansltd

Burns Pet Nutrition announces partnership with Garfield Movie with “new” Pet Lasagne

Burns Pet Nutrition

Burns Pet Nutrition today announced it has partnered with The Garfield Movie, which hits UK cinemas nationwide on May 24.

To announce the partnership, Burns “launched” a new product today – Cheesy Lasagne, the loveable but lazy tabby cat’s favourite dish.

The recipe contains pet-friendly cheese, delicious and nutritious mince laying between luscious layers of tasty pasta. This new recipe is deemed suitable for both cats and dogs. However, it is of course an April Fool’s joke.

Neilson set to open a new beach club in Greece that is exclusively for kids, run by kids

Ever wondered what a holiday without your parents would look like? Well, for the first time ever, this June, the UK’s leading overseas active holiday company Neilson Beach Clubs will open a brand new destination - Neilson Nippa Beach Club - and the new holiday location in Greece will only be available to book by kids.

The management and running of Neilson Nippa Beach Club will be entirely handed over to kids - from the activity managers, ground staff and even the head chef - because who knows more what kids want, than kids themselves!

Shiloh Forson, Neilson Nippa Beach Club Manager (aged 9) said: ‘It’s time we [kids] stood up for ourselves, forget bedtime routines and adults stopping all the fun... We're finally taking charge.

The Neilson Nippa Beach Club has also been endorsed by the brand’s very own Good Energy Officer, Fred Sirieix (aged 52), who commented: “Shiloh has everything covered and I have every faith she and the mini team will run the Neilson Nippa Beach Club with ease. After many months of planning and sharing my expertise, I’m really excited to hear feedback from our first round of guests – sweets for breakfast, what could be better!?”

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