10 Greatest April Fools Day Hoaxes Of All Time
3. Big Ben Going Digital (1 April 1980)
It was reported on the BBC’s World Service that Big Ben would be going digital and that the clock hands would be given away to the first four listeners to contact the station.
The response was huge. People were angry about the change and failed to see the funny side even after it was revealed to be a prank.
“Surprisingly few people thought it was funny,” admitted Tony Lightly, of the World Service.