From desperate attempts to get publicity to "hilarious" jokes by news outlets, here are today's 10 best (and worst) April Fool jokes.
1. Warburtons' new Loaf skyscrapers.
Bolton's favourite breadmakers, Warburtons, were one of the first to try to grab some column inches (they've succeeded - have a biscuit) with this reasonably amusing picture of a new-look London skyline.
The firm claims it is planning to build two new skyscrapers shaped like pieces of bread either side of The Gherkin, creating a cityscape sandwich. Mmmm, tasty.
2. Hollywood Holland's
In a similar vein, pie-makers Holland's want us to believe that they've built a Hollywood-style sign on a hillside in Accrington. Who wouldn't want to live near that?*
* Er... this is actually a true story. It's hard to tell these days. The firm did, however, claim that Hollywood tourist chiefs had been in touch with a view to borrowing the sign. Crazy!
3. Alien transmission
AOL reckon NASA has discovered alien life after receiving a binary transmission from outer space.
For added fun, you can translate the binary message online. Woop.
Hey, AOL - try this one:
01001000 01100001 01110110 01100101 01101110 00100111 01110100 00100000 01111001 01101111 01110101 00100000 01100111 01101111 01110100 00100000 01110011 01101111 01101101 01100101 01110100 01101000 01101001 01101110 01100111 00100000 01100010 01100101 01110100 01110100 01100101 01110010 00100000 01110100 01101111 00100000 01100010 01100101 00100000 01100100 01101111 01101001 01101110 01100111 00111111
4. Darth Vader for president
A disturbing development in the Ukrainian situation, as, according to The Telegraph, Star Wars villain Darth Vader is now running for president.
In other news, the Emperor is representing UKIP in Bromley Cross at the next local elections.
5. Rivington Pike's Choose Chorley sign
You may remember the controversy caused when the famous Rivington Pike tower was lit up red to promote Chorley (this is actually a true story).
Now council bosses have taken it a step further with another Hollywood sign prank. Except they haven't. It's not real. Or is it? That's what they want you to think.
6. The demise of the dodo
A clever, funny and almost believable story appeared in today's Bristol Post about how the dodo really went extinct - being eaten with chips in Bristol.
Dodo is actually very nutritious, and works well in a curry. It tastes just like chicken.
7. Scottish independence
Those clever satirists at The Guardian have come up with the riotously funny idea that Scottish motorists will be forced to drive on the right if the country gains independence. Ooh, you japers.
8. One Direction's North Korean ban
The Mirror has unashamedly gone for web hits with a story about how everyone's favourite boy band, One Direction, will be banned in North Korea until they get haircuts like dear leader Kim Jong Un.
You can imagine gullible teenage girls all over the country crying as they read this one.
To be fair, almost any news story coming out of North Korea could be mistaken for an April Fool.
9. Mona Lisa wore contact lenses
Perennial publicity seekers Specsavers fooled no-one with this story about the Mona Lisa wearing contact lenses.
You literally couldn't make it up. Except you could. And they did. Must try harder.
This amazing discovery suggests the Mona Lisa was the world's first contact lens wearer: http://t.co/DKZ2n09ZFX pic.twitter.com/H0irdK31Ve
— Specsavers (@Specsavers) April 1, 2014
10. Liverpool top of the Premier League
According to the BBC Sport website, joke team Liverpool FC are top of the Premier League, with hungry, cheating striker Luis Suarez bagging 29 goals this season, and what's more... oh, hang on...
- Have you been the victim or perpetrator of any good April Fools' Day pranks? Tell us by emailing newsdesk@theboltonnews.co.uk
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