April Fools' Day 2019: Best news stories and pranks including 'poo emoji 50p' and dog walking drones

Elon Musk 'launched a rap career with a song about Harambe'
Cincinnati Zoo/Reuters
Katy Clifton2 April 2019

April Fools’ Day is upon us and pranksters around the world are taking advantage of a 24-hour period where practical jokes on friends and colleagues are acceptable.

News outlets, public figures and police forces are all in on the act as well, with fake stories being shared which have people scratching their heads at the bizarre news.

From the Royal Mint unveiling a 50p designed with a poo emoji to a new drone dog walking service which comes with an audio bolt-on of “Fenton!”, here’s a look at some of the best pranks this year:

'Royal Mint unveils 50p poo emoji'

A new 50p coin range unveiled by the Royal Mint includes one designed with a poo emoji, The Sun said.

In a piece written by “Penny Drops”, the site said the coin was one of six themed 50p pieces soon to be released, with the others featuring a peach, a heart, a flame, an aubergine and a laughing face.

The curiously-named coin expert Penny Silver was quoted saying: “Emojis are a great way to communicate and express ourselves, so it makes sense to mark this with a coin collection.”

'Skip the sex' button on iPlayer

The BBC is launching a "skip the sex" button for more prudish viewers, the Mirror reports.

The "skip the sex" button on BBC iPlayer will mean viewers wanting to avoid raunchy scenes will be able to skip right past them.

"We appreciate it can be pretty awkward for viewers sat around with the family, so this new feature will help them skip past the more embarrassing scenes," a "BBC spokesman" said.

BBC is "launching a skip the sex button"
PA Archive/PA Images

Elon Musk launches rap career

Elon Musk released a bizarre song about Harambe, a gorilla who became a pop culture phenomenon after being shot in 2016.

In a post which people have called out as a possible early April Fools prank, the Tesla CEO said on Saturday that it "might be my finest work".

The autotuned-filled track includes the lyrics: "RIP Harambe, sipping on some bombay, we on our way to heaven, amen, amen."

'Leaning Tower of Dublin'

A bizarre bend has appeared in Dublin's famous landmark which has led some to call it the "Leaning Tower of Dublin".

Dublin Live reports that the Spire's shape has been changed due to the "very strong north-westerly winds" over the past few months.

A council spokesman said: "The last thing that Dublin needs is for tourists to go home with pictures of Dublin’s ‘wonky’ Spire to show their friends and relatives abroad. This would make us look like (April) fools.”

Drone dog walking

New technology perfect for the busy dog owner will see drones walking people's pets, The Times reports.

The Drone Dog Walker comes fitted with leash control technology as well as a microphone and camera.

The device also comes with audio bolt-ons, one of them being the voice of a loud middle-class man shouting "Fenton! Fenton!"

Police launch 'smelly food' crackdown

British Transport Police is cracking down on commuters who eat smelly food on trains, the force announced.

As part of new anti-social behaviour legislation, those caught eating offensive food items while travelling "could face a penalty fare of up to £2,000".

Inspector Pete Pong said: “Stinky food has been a long-standing contentious issue on Britain’s rail network and I am pleased we could respond to the public’s concerns and work to stamp out this very pressing problem."

Free beer on the NHS

Free beer prescriptions will soon be available in the UK, the Daily Star reports.

Pints of stout will be available as prescription medication from Friday for people with anaemia, insomnia or tiredness.

Regular repeat prescriptions will need to be signed off by the doctor to prevent “abuse of the system”, an “NHS spokesman” said.

Beer will "soon be available on the NHS"
PA Wire/PA Images

Britain 'kicked out of Eurovision over Brexit'

The company behind the Eurovision Song Contest has warned leaving the EU could mean the UK's part in the competition could come to an end, according to the Express.

Vaya Mentira, chief executive of L’Institute de Eurovision Song (LIES) said: “It has with a heavy heart that we have decided Britain should no longer compete in Eurovision.

“It wouldn’t be fair on the other countries that Britain is still able to compete despite leaving the EU.”

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