April Fool! It's the day of the year when fake news is celebrated and people across the UK try to catch everyone out with ridiculous stories and pranks. Each year companies try to out-do each other with students designed to trip up the unwary.
This year's crop include an app that stops Millennials spending their money on Netflix or gym memberships, an accidental burger giveaway and a new dating service for Keto fans. There is also a candle that smells of festivals and beetroot that won't leave a stain.
Here are some of the April Fool gags and pranks we've spotted, so you can dodge the pitfalls today.
Coconut water for dogs
Vita Coco, the UK’s #1 coconut water brand has joined paw-ces with fellow B Corp and pet gut health gurus Scrumbles, to create a brand-new doggy drink, Coconut Pawater.
Coconut Pawater (RRP £1.80) will be the world’s first coconut water made exclusively for dogs and will be available to purchase at vitacoco.co.uk.
The partnership comes following months of furry friends taste-testing the drink to paw-fect the recipe and is ideal for health-conscious pups wanting to top up those electrolytes post-walkies.
The drink is made with all-natural lovingly handpicked ingredients so won’t ever leave your dog feeling ruff.
Bread-size crisps
Crisp sandwich lovers rejoice! A giant bread sized crisp that has been especially designed for use in sandwiches has been launched by Walkers.
The gigantic ‘Bread Shaped Crisp’, which measures an epic 11cm in height, is a totally flat, bread shaped crisp. The new product comes after research by Walkers revealed that nearly all (98%) of the nation agreed that crisps make sandwiches better.
The perfectly-sized sandwich companion has been launched to solve a big problem that crisp sandwich fans have been struggling with for years – crisps crumbling up and falling out the sides of their sandwiches and uneven bread coverage. Now, lovers of the lunchtime crisp sandwich can enjoy the delicious crunch of Walkers crisps without having to worry.
Hoverboards launching at Currys
Yes, you’ve heard it right, Hoverboards that fly up to 4ft in height just landed at Currys!
Thanks to ground-breaking new HovAir® technology, the new hoverboards are designed to get people from A to B without having to battle traffic on the daily commute.
The Currys hoverboard has been uniquely designed to allow riders to get the perfect experience while flying around the streets of the UK.
Coming in a range of multiple colours, the hoverboards are looking like being one of this summer's hottest trends, and are already flying off the shelves.
Customers can find out more about Currys range of hoverboards via the link here.
Ketchup and mustard banned
Everyone’s favourite Italian-American restaurant, Frankie and Benny’s has today announced that it is banning guests from using any condiments and is removing them from all of its restaurants across the UK.
As of today Frankie & Benny’s is shaking up its dine-in offering, with guests no longer finding traditional condiments - including ketchup, mayonnaise or even salt and pepper - at their tables or even available to request when they sit to dine.
Instead, they’ll find “No Condiments” signs dotted around restaurants alongside an all-new menu which includes a message that reads "Please note this is a No Ketchup Zone - we do not have condiments in restaurants from the 1st April"
And for those thinking about ‘dipping’ into their pockets or bags and using their own sauce, don’t bother. Staff across all 96 Frankie & Benny’s restaurants will be confiscating any condiments seen, returning them to guests as they leave the restaurant.
These new measures are being taken to encourage people to relish the moment and enjoy the true flavour of some of the restaurant brand’s latest dishes including Southern Fried Chicken starter, Chicken & Prawn Alfredo and Halloumi Wrap.
Pineapple on pizza banned
The age-old pineapple on pizza debate has officially come to a head; Deliveroo has today announced that it will ban pineapple on all pizza ordered from the food-delivery platform. The decision is being backed by a cohort of top Italian restaurants on Deliveroo including Pizza Express, Pizza Pilgrims and Bella Italia, who support the move to put a stop to orders of ‘Hawaiian’ style pizzas.
Deliveroo’s move to scrap the dish from the app comes following a recent study by Yougov, which revealed Italians believe adding pineapple to pizza is not just unacceptable but practically a crime against Italian cuisine.
The controversial topic of pineapple on pizza has sparked a wide debate on social media for many years, with people on Twitter suggesting that if 2020 had been a pizza, it would have had pineapple on it. Back in 2017, British Chef Gordon Ramsay also publicly claimed that pineapple does not belong on pizza. He wasn’t wrong.
Surprisingly, Deliveroo has revealed that Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day are the most popular days for customers to order Hawaiian pizza, which proves that pineapple pizza eaters love to break tradition. Despite this, the company wants to nip it in the bud before the scandalous food-affair escalates further, no matter the appetite for the debatable combo.
Deliveroo’s Chief Business Officer for the UK and Ireland, Carlo Mocci, is supportive of the decision. Mocci said: “As a proud Italian, I am passionate that pineapple does not belong on a pizza. With more than 160,000 restaurants available to order from on our app, there are millions of different meals to choose from that do not involve putting pineapple on pizza. It’s great to see multiple leading Italian restaurant partners take a stand against the food faux-pas.”
Whatsmore, despite the name of the dish, the origin of pineapple on pizza did not come from the US island state of Hawaii, it came from Canada; which comes as no surprise that the Canadian President Justin Trudeau admitted to being “team pineapple”. A decision he might regret considering some of the UK’s most-loved Italian restaurants back the ban.
Jane Treasure, Food and Beverage Director from Pizza Express said, “Deliveroo is banning the Hawaiian? No problem. It’s been banned from our menu for the last 6 years! The Padana is a fab sweet fix for those who fancy that kind of thing though, thanks to the delicious caramelised onion and goat’s cheese topping.”
Joss Mostert, Marketing Director from Bella Italia said, “Deliveroo banning the Hawaiian is no problem because if you are on Team Pineapple, we just don’t think we can be friends! Swap over to the right team and try our Pepperoni that is the perfect pizza every time. You won’t regret it and we won’t judge you!”
James & Thom Elliot, Founders of Pizza Pilgrims said, “Putting pineapple on Neapolitan pizza is basically considered a crime in Naples. Most of our pizza chefs are from Naples and safe to say they are not fans! We fully support Deliveroo’s decision to ban pineapple on pizza and make a stand for proper pizza!
Free Whoppers
Following a technical issue last night burger lovers are in for a tasty treat as Burger King UK mistakenly issued thousands of free Whopper coupons to app users nationwide.
Customers should check their Burger King app to see if they are one of the lucky ones who have benefited from the technical glitch.
Burger King® UK are working to fix the technical issue but have said it could take at least 24 hours, so customers have until midday tomorrow (Saturday 2nd April) to take advantage of the error and claim their free Whopper.
As a result of the app glitch, Burger King UK estimates thousands of guests nationwide will be able to redeem a free Whopper.
Bread diffuser
Subway have bottled the alluring smell of their bread, freshly baked in-store, to help homeowners sell their properties within seconds.
It’s a well-known trope that the smell of freshly-baked bread will lure buyers when selling your home – and so today Subway have announced a revolutionary new gadget that will deliver the fragrance at the touch of a button.
Subway’s ‘Eau de Dough’ room diffuser captures the notes of a perfectly baked Hearty Italian Sub. The state-of-the-art gadget releases a mouth-watering, room-filling vapour in under 0.25 seconds.
The enticing Subway scent has been bottled in-store to perfectly encapsulate the smell of everyone’s favourite Subs and sell homes within seconds.
A Subway spokesperson said “Customers love us for our delicious, freshly baked bread, so we’re delighted to be able to share our in-store aroma as a takeaway scent. Whether you need help selling a property or simply love the smell, ‘Eau de Dough’ is the must have gadget.”
Pot pizza
Pot Noodle and Papa Johns has joined forces to create the dream duo we never knew we needed – yep, we give you… the Pot Pizza!
In one of the boldest flavour mash-ups of all time, Pot Noodle will be offering a fresh take on some of the most popular Papa Johns pizzas, pairing them with three infamous Pot Noodle flavours – Bombay Bad Boy, Chicken & Mushroom and Beef & Tomato. Get your Pot Noodle fork out because this freshly baked collab is expected to cause quite the stir!
Head of Product Development at Pot Noodle, Daisy O’Farllop, said: “For the first time in Pot Noodles’ 43-year history, consumers will be able to combine our deviously-delicious noodles with a Papa Johns Pizza. Life is too short to have to choose between a Pot Noodle and a pizza – with this new range, you can have both!
Floyd Pasolari, Research & Development Lead at Papa Johns, said: “Ingredient innovation is at the heart of our menu, and we’ve worked hard to ensure the ‘Pot Pizza’ menu is the perfect balance of Pot Noodle’s much-loved flavours and our best-selling pizzas.
“Following the recent success of our ‘Beeza’, ‘Hot Dog’ and ‘Christmas Dinner’ pizzas, we’re excited to give pizza lovers yet another combination that is bound to turn heads.”
Video call insurance
In response to increasing customer demand, specialist insurers Ceta and InsureMy are launching Video Call Cover to protect those working from home from a range of frustrating and embarrassing incidents.
The insurance provides cover for a range of common video call risks, including, ‘you’re on mute’ interruptions from children, pets and deliveries as well as insurance for reputational damage such as embarrassing freeze frames, unflattering camera angles and bad hair days.
The insurance has three different cover levels - Bronze, Silver and Gold. All packages cover muting and interruptions as standard, while with the Silver package, there is the added benefit of cover for sharing the wrong screen, sneezing and Wifind Me Some Signal. In the event of complete Wifi and signal loss, policyholders with this courtesy WIFI replacement service benefit will be taken - along with all their equipment - by chauffeur to the nearest area with a reliable signal until their own WIFI is fully restored.
Gold Video Call Cover customers will benefit from everything in the Silver policy plus exclusive access to the ‘Everything’s Fine’ package; a suite of customisable filters and tools including:
- Interruption detection - AI technology automatically detects, mutes, and erases any unwanted sounds and images created by children, partners, or pets in the background
- Accidental nudity filter with automatic clothing upload - protect your modesty and ‘cover up’ - choose from a range of predesigned outfits or from a selection from your own wardrobe for added plausibility
- Bad hair day/root detection - on-trend styles and colours created by leading stylists are automatically superimposed onto your image if bad hair is detected
- Spot/blemish recognition with cover-up filter - to disguise any imperfections
- Emergency stop - camera and microphone are automatically turned off and replaced by ‘library pictures’ of you listening intently if the sounds of going to the toilet or making a cup of tea are detected to ensure complete discretion
April Firstday, head of Video Call Insurance said: “Even though restrictions are now lifted, working from home has become the new normal for millions of people in the UK, which means video calling is now a part of our everyday working lives.
“And while joining meetings online from the comfort of our own homes has its advantages, it also comes with a huge amount of risk, from accidentally muting yourself when you had a really good point to make, to children interrupting, pets walking across the screen or keyboard, or the doorbell going at an inconvenient moment.
“There are also a huge number of reputational risks to be considered, such as unflattering freeze frames, bad hair days and unfavourable lighting, right through to more severe risks such as forgetting to get dressed or leaving the microphone on while you are in the loo.
April concludes: “That’s why we have launched our Video Call Cover, to give those working from home the confidence to join a video call knowing that any technical or down-right humiliating incidents will be covered.”
To celebrate the launch of Video Call Cover, Ceta Insurance and InsureMy are offering a £50 voucher for the best embarrassing freeze frame shared on Twitter or FaceBook using the hashtag #cetavideocallcoverstar and tagging @cetainsurance.
Pet translator
Barking mad about your pet and want to know what they’re thinking? Moonpig is here to make the impawsible pawsible with its new pet translator feature. YES, this really is fur-real you will soon be able to translate your pets bark or meow, meaning they can now put paw to microphone and record a message to their owner.
Launching in April 2022 exclusively on the app, the innovators at Moonpig have developed the new Moonpets feature working alongside a pet psychologist to help decode the hidden meaning behind those attention seeking cries. Whether it’s a high-pitched howl or sharp and sweet cry, Moonpig’s pet psychologist has managed to translate their sounds so that their loving messages can now be transferred into a large selection of cards ‘From the Pet’. Whether it’s a birthday, Mother’s Day or Father’s Day, these cards from your four-legged friends will be more personal than ever before.
The new app feature launched after Moonpig has seen a pawsome 260% increase in card orders ‘From the Pet’ in the last two years, with data analysts at Moonpig citing lockdown and the increase in pet ownership as a reason for the dramatic rise in card sales in this sector.
Peter Donlon Chief Technology Officer at Moonpig commented: “We knew that it was going to be a woof ride trying to create the technology to decode the meaning behind our pets' cries, however after seeing such high sales in the from the pet cards sector we were determined to take up this opp-pawtunity and revolutionise the way we communicate with our furry friends.
The new pawsome feature is a mutt-umental move for the Moonpig app and we hope our four-legged customers will enjoy letting their owners know how they feel. We’re confident that this new app will have a paw-sitive impact on the way our humans and pets interact with each other - we just hope there’s no argument over who picks up the bill at the end of the order.”
Crying cabinet for offices
A soundproof cabinet for weeping at work has launched, meaning workers can now escape from the everyday drama of office life in a human sized Cryling Cabinet.
8 out of 10 people have shed a tear in the workplace; and this new product by office furniture retailer Furniture@Work, provides a unique take on the standard filing cabinet. It provides employees a safe place to hysterically cry when their boss has sent yet another “have you done your timesheets?” email or HR refused a month-long holiday request.
From the outside, you might think this is a run of the mill filing cabinet but open the doors and you’ll discover a sanctuary for the stressed-out, a haven from the ‘had enoughs’. The Cryling Cabinet is a discreet space to hide away from the stresses of everyday office life.
Key features include:
Sound (and scream) proof walls
Bean bag bawler
Pick-me-up vending machine
Tear removal tissues
‘Occupied’ light
Floofsto by Gousto: a new gourmet recipe box for pets
Today, recipe box Gousto has announced its furriest new venture, Floofsto by Gousto. Designed in collaboration with leading vets, the chefs at the recipe box have created a whole new range of gourmet plates for the modern-day pet.
We’re a certified nation of animal lovers, and Gousto knows that when it comes to our furry friend’s tastes, kibble isn’t going to cut the mustard. Floofsto is a foolproof way to get tails wagging at tea time.
Perhaps it’s their birthday, or you’re teaching your precious pooch some table manners. From the everyday, to the high days and holidays, your favourite family member can now choose from pet-friendly salads, roast dinners and boujee lip-smacking burgers.
All dishes meet the recommended standards of nutrition and of course, pet safety. Options to customise your recipes mean that even the fussiest feline will be purr-fectly satisfied. Plant-based pets are catered for too, with vegan options aplenty.
The world's first toilet for the Metaverse
Leading bathroom retailer Victorian Plumbing is launching the world’s first toilet in the metaverse this April to give its users the ultimate bathroom experience. Nicknamed the ‘Meta Loo’, this digital bathroom will be accessible from the 1st April for all your necessary personal hygiene needs, all without the hassle of those pestering toilet queues.
Victorian Plumbing will be the first-ever company to break into the virtual world of plumbing. If you’ve ever had to experience the lack of bathroom spaces available while you're navigating throughout the wacky world of the metaverse; you will find Victorian Plumbing’s unique ‘Meta Loo’ a real positive “PUSH” of a choice, leaving your VR experience for a toilet break - Victorian Plumbing has you covered.
No longer will you face the real unpleasant situation by missing out on valuable virtual time by constant bathroom breaks now that both you and your virtual selves can go for a number one (or two, no judging), in the Meta Loo.
Joe Pascoe, Chief Marketing Officer at Victorian Plumbing, said: ‘At Victorian Plumbing, when it comes to bathrooms, we’re serious. No matter how big or small, virtual or not, our mission is to elevate any bathroom experience. We’re proud to be launching the world’s first loo in the metaverse and continue to expand our product range beyond the physical.’
Fish and Chip ice cream
Nothing says a trip to the seaside more than the real quintessential British tastes and smells, so much so that Haven has brought them to life in four new ice cream flavours this summer!
From the waft of fish and chips in the sea breeze to the leading UK holiday company Haven has undertaken research from its guests as to which sensational seaside flavours they want to taste and try in ice creams this year.
The four new flavours of ‘Stick of Rock’, ‘Slushie’, ‘Fish and Chips’ and, yes ‘Seaweed’ will be on sale in Haven’s pop-up Seaside Treats for the summer. So, if you want to cool down on a hot summer’s day but still want your favourite seaside treats – then look no further! Whether you want to take a trip down memory lane with our classic sugary sweet Stick of Rock or get taste buds tingling with our mouth-watering Slushie option, there’s a seaside scoop for everyone.
“We like to offer our guests a range of new products and flavours each year and following some guest research we’ve been working hard to see if we could bring their favourite tastes and smells of the seaside to life,” said Gerard Tempest, Chief Marketing Officer for Haven. “There’s something for everyone to enjoy, and you’ll be tempted even by the blend of sweet and saltiness in the Seaweed flavour!”
The pop-up Seaside Treats are available at 10 Haven parks and the new flavours will be out in time for the Platinum Jubilee celebrations – what could be better than the most authentic of British cuisine to celebrate? You’d be foolish not to try it!
Carbonated chicken Tango
Tango welcomes three new takeaway flavours to its range as Brit’s desire for takeaways skyrockets. The pandemic saw households spend on takeaways increase by over 40% but it appears the trend is here to stay as demand shows a taste for takeaways outlasts Covid lockdowns.
Inspired by some of Brit’s most loved takeaway foods, Tango has combined its traditional orange flavour with three British takeaway staples, including carbonated chicken, which gets that fresh out the fryer crispy crunchy flavour. Designed to tickle the tastebuds and deliver the ultimate in tangy refreshment, the new takeaway cans aim to cater for those who love the great taste of Tango, combined with their favourite takeaway.
Ray Patterson, Brand Director at Tango commented: “We’ve seen a huge amount of our customers enjoy a cheeky Tango with their takeaway, and a survey we conducted shows 58% of 18-34 year olds regularly pair food with soft drinks to enhance flavour[5]. So, we thought why not offer it all in one can, and marry together our classic Tango taste, with three firm takeaway favourites. We hope Tango fans will enjoy all their fast food favourites in delicious Tango-y liquid form”.
Fans can get their hands on the new Tango flavours in all major supermarkets.
100% Liquid Plaid Handwash
ARRAN Sense of Scotland has found the answer to a conundrum that’s baffled bath and body care product developers for years – by creating a TARTAN handwash that holds its pattern when squeezed from the bottle.
Launching just in time for Tartan Day (6th April), the new handwash reflects the brand’s Scottish heritage and is available to buy from 6th April 2022 for £16 at https://arran.com/products/tartan-hand-wash. Customers can sign up for early access from 1st April 2022.
ARRAN Sense of Scotland’s Sales Director, Andrew Russell said: “We often joke that we’re Scottish inside and out, and that if you cut us open, you’d see tartan, now you can say the same goes for our handwash.
“We wanted to create something that embodies us as a brand and our product experts have been working on the development of this one for years. We believe it’s totally unique.
“Getting the technical specifications right hasn’t been an easy job, what we had to do was create horizontal stripes that hold their line when squeezed out of the tube, we did this by making a very viscous version of our existing formulas. It’s kind of a halfway house between solid and liquid soap. We’ve paired that with a special nozzle that feeds the horizontal lines through as it’s pushed down to create the tartan pattern.
“We’re really pleased with the final result, but we don’t want to give anything away and spoil the surprise when you see it for the first time."
Card Millennials can't use on Netflix
A new savings scheme is launching today with the aim of helping frivolous millennials cut down on unnecessary spending including Netflix, sausage rolls and takeout coffee in order to save for their dream home.
The SacrifISA, launched by online specialist mortgage broker, Haysto, comes in response to Kirstie Allsopp’s motivational comments, suggesting that millennials need only give up their “eastJet, coffee, gym and Netflix” lifestyle to get themselves on the property ladder.
With the tagline “Stop complaining. Start a SacrifISA”, the scheme is linked to the user's debit card and once connected, will help to curb unnecessary spending by blocking attempts to waste precious savings on items including: just about anything with avocado in, gym memberships, takeaway coffee, holidays and Greggs.
Once the purchase has been blocked, the millennial pink card will automatically transfer funds into your SacrifISA account. Users will soon see their savings totting up getting themselves one step closer to the property ladder one oat milk latte at a time.
Haysto CEO and Co-Founder, Jonny Moulton, said: “We all know that soaring house prices and stagnant salaries are not the real reason why young people are struggling to buy their own home. Sausage rolls cost a whopping 0.96p each, while a flat white will set you back at around £2.50 at high street chains. These costs soon add up and with ludicrous spending like this it’s no wonder millions of people are unable to invest in their own property.
“We were inspired by Kirstie’s comments to help millennials reevaluate their spending habits and get them back on track to owning their first home. The SacrifISA is an account designed to put an end to the “treat yourself” mentality behind Generation Rent.”
Festival smelling candle
Ever sat at home watching daytime TV, rain pelting against the window, reminiscing about your favourite festivals you haven’t been able to attend for the last TWO years? Fear not!
The limited edition festival candle from Skiddle, appropriately named ‘Festiv'eau’, has just dropped.
The first in Skiddle’s new line of ‘Live e’scents’ candles , Festiv’eau launches today (April 1st), and is jam-packed with all of the unique, but not always agreeable, scents any festival-lover will need to transport themselves into the field of their dreams.
A limited number of the candles will be released on Skiddle’s website at 12pm, retailing at £30 each, with all proceeds donated to Macmillan Cancer Support, the brand’s long-term charity partner.
Name a more iconic festival partnership than the smell of grass stains, pints, burger vans and… portaloos? As the candle starts to burn, those lucky enough to get their hands on one will feel transported to the grounds of their favourite festival. Imagine…
It’s the morning, the sun is shining, everyone is buzzing with excitement and the smell of freshly trimmed grass is wafting through the air. As the day goes on, your stomach starts to rumble. A familiar smell of sizzling, hot, fresh burgers cooking tempts you over to the van. When the sun starts to dip over the horizon, you find yourself queuing up at the bar, chatting to your friends before ordering a pint of lager. And the next morning, when you pop your head outside your tent and you’re ready to take on the day, you notice a smell lingering in your nostrils. It’s not particularly pleasant, but you can’t quite put your finger on what it is… Until you pass the portaloos.
Skiddle has confirmed that they are also working on two new scents that will drop later this year. Smells like Teen Spirit, will evoke the memories of student nights, with scents of sickly sweet drinks, burnt pizza, latex, and a slight whiff of puke; and Eau’asis - Cigarettes & Alcohol will transport users to their favourite indie gigs, with smells of stale cider, cigarette fumes, sweat, ending in a taxi ride home (new car smell).Penny Farthing hire
Bike subscription company Swapfiets has today announced the world’s first Penny Farthing monthly subscription service to celebrate 150 years of the first ever bicycle.
After a successful launch in the UK, hassle-free bike subscription company Swapfiets – coined ‘Netflix of bikes’ – is paying homage to cycling’s British routes and adding the “Penny Farthing 7” to its selection of world-class bikes and E-bikes, prompting a resurgence of the classic transport method.
This one speed is a whopping 53 inches (130cm) in size and comes with a custom roller brake, a ring lock + chain lock and hub powered LED light. The iconic bicycle will also receive a further upgrade, courtesy of the company's iconic bright blue front tyre, which is reinforced and puncture resistant.
Stain-free beetroot
Spring is finally here and as we begin to make the most of entertaining friends and family, many of us are embracing delicious, light salads featuring British beetroot. Now, Waitrose has solved one of the nation’s most frustrating kitchen nightmares by introducing the first stainless variety.
This humble, yet delicious root vegetable, grown by local producers across the UK is recognised for its earthy flavour, versatility, and its vibrant and distinctive colour. The new stainless beetroot from Waitrose enables customers to enjoy all the benefits of this British ingredient, without the danger of staining clothes, hands, plates and worktops.
Beatrice Root, Waitrose Head of Stain Prevention, says; ‘The humble beetroot has long had its reputation tainted due to the fact it stains with its deep purple juice. This has been years in the making as we have been working with growers to produce a new stain-free variety to help this fantastic ingredient get the recognition it deserves.’
Waitrose Stainless Beetroot is available from the 1st April in selected stores and Waitrose.com
Soil-powered lights
Ground-breaking lightbulbs – which are powered purely by nutrients in the soil – will be lighting up gardens across the UK thanks to new ‘Garden Bulb’ lighting now on sale in the UK.
Engineers in the research and development department at lighting specialists 4lite have come up with an innovative new technology that harnesses the energy in soil to power specially-designed lightbulbs, brightening up flowerbeds across the country.
4lite’s new ‘Garden Bulbs’ use organic soil matter to power a special bulb which harnesses electrons released in decomposing soil, creating an electric charge and instant lighting.
Rachel Morris, Marketing Manager for 4lite said: “Soil-powered bulbs are the latest tech to have in your garden, giving the perfect glow and helping you make the most of your outside space, flowerbeds, pots and patios.
“Our engineers and design team have been working so hard on this bright idea, which has been years in the making.
“Simply plant your soil-powered ‘Garden Bulbs’ right next to your spring bulbs and watch them instantly light up your garden.”
Passenger seats for dogs
Honda has launched a brand-new range of front passenger seats for pets, the Pet Co-Pilot Front Seat.
On sale from Friday 01 April, 2022, the Dog Co-Pilot Front Seat will be available first, joined later in the year by variants for cats, hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits and fish. A multi-storey seat for gerbils will follow in spring 2023.
Designed specifically for pets, each seat will ensure animals can get the best view in the car with a full view of the world around them, while being within a paw’s or fin’s reach of their human parent.
The seats will be available either as a factory-fitted option or a retrospective purchase for cars built between April 2017 and March 2022, available through Honda’s dealer network.
The Dog Co-Pilot Front Seat will be available to order immediately. Features include:
- XXL seat base with scratch-resistant and water-proof material
- XXL seat bolsters to keep the dog safe in the seat
- Recessed spill-proof bowl holders
- Air-con vents built into the seat to keep the dog cool
- ISOFIX points for dog harness attachment
- Honda-branded harness
The seat can be customised to suit the dog’s and human’s needs and requirements, with optional extras including:
- Bowl holder inserts, so a human can use the seat
- Glovebox treat dispenser with snout-activated button
- 50/50 split meal/treat bowl
- In-built squeaker or toy (replaceable) sewn into the seat
Honda has created the seats as in response to driver’s attitudes in recent years – 59% of UK households now own a pet, according to data from Statista.
Honda’s head of Pet Products, Annie Mal, said: “This new option is in response to increased customer demand around travel options for their pets. More than ever, pet owners are looking to take their pets with them when they travel, and we’ve created an option that not only lets them do that but encourages it.
“From driving across the UK and Europe for holidays, to short trips to the shops or a day out, the Pet Co-Pilot Front Seat allows owners to be closer to their beloved pet when driving. It also frees up boot space.”
There’s more in the pipeline, too, with the Large or Exotic Pet Co-Pilot Front Seat on course for 2024 delivery, launching with the Horse Co-Pilot Front Seat.
Pre-hated from Marmite
Today, the nation’s most loved (and hated) savoury spread, Marmite, announces the opening of a Pre-Hated Marmite store, selling used jars of the sticky stuff for as little as £1.
“Why?” We hear the hater’s ask. We know Brit’s love a pre-loved bargain. In fact, eBay reported over 400% year-on-year increase in second-hand sales since 2018 as sales of used items soared during lockdown.
As the shoppers shift gears and try out the second-hand market, Marmite saw an opportunity to give their Pre-Hated jars a new, loving home. Move over Pre-Loved, it’s all about Pre-Hated.
From today, the Pre-Hated Marmite eBay store will offer lovers a chance to spoon a Mar-mighty bargain by purchasing a jar from someone who has already hated it. That’s right, each and every jar has already been opened, tried and discarded in disgust.
Jar’s listed on Marmite’s Pre-Hated eBay store express the loathing from previous owners who decided Marmite didn’t deserve space in the cupboard.
Product listings include “How does anybody eat this?!” with shocking descriptions such as “Only one spread’s worth missing. Slight tear to the front label (see pics).”
But Marmite lovers rejoice, their hating is your saving! With just small spoons (or even sniffs) taken from each jar, you can snap up a barely used jar for a steal!To visit Marmite’s Pre-Hated eBay store, visit: www.ebay.co.uk/str/prehatedstore while stocks last.
Duolingo Air
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Well, technically it’s both - as the world’s number one education app, Duolingo, takes to the skies with the launch of its own airline.
On-board boredom is set to become a thing of the past, as Duolingo’s latest venture aims to help passengers maximise their in-flight productivity.
The company will reimagine the future of flight by immersing travellers in the language of their destination. In-flight Duolingo Plus will be offered free to all passengers, ensuring they’re equipped with key words and phrases for the country they’re flying to.
Duolingo Air’s inaugural flight (DUOL-1422) will take to the skies later this month travelling from London Stansted to Dublin to celebrate the news that 7 million people have started learning Irish since the course launched on Duolingo in 2014.
Once aboard, passengers will be guided through the language of their destination by Duolingo Air’s cabin crew and encouraged to use their time to pick up the basics of the Irish course before immersing themselves in the rich culture of the emerald isle.
Travellers who step aboard Duolingo’s signature green aircraft can expect to travel in ultimate comfort, as the planes have been designed with plush green seats, owl shaped head rests that rotate 270 degrees, high definition headphones that heighten audio understanding, and 4K touch screens for truly immersive learning.
Colin Watkins, UK and Ireland Country Manager at Duolingo said: “Lots of us head off on holiday without knowing the local language, but we know travel is a key motivator for learning, so taking language learning to the skies felt like a natural step for Duolingo. We’re excited to move into the aviation sector - there’ll be no winging it when you fly with us!”
Tickets for Duolingo Air’s first flight will go on sale from tomorrow (April 2nd 2022) and will be available from www.duolingo.com. More destinations and routes will be revealed in the coming weeks.
Gym fob implants
Today, London’s boldest gym chain, Gymbox announces the launch of the UK’s first in-palm implant, the Handfob
Members will now be able to check-in to any of the 10 Gymbox clubs with just a touch of their wrist through the under-skin implant. Not only does the smart-tech allow for contact-free check-in, it also tracks blood pressure changes, fluctuations in oxygen levels and calorie burn, relaying instant digital information to a smartphone app in a world-first for the fitness industry.
To create the implant, Gymbox teamed up with Silicon Valley’s top Exercise Technician, Dr. Ethan Must, to help design the Handfob™ and the multitude of settings the device holds.
Ethan Must, world-renowned Exercise Technician said: “When designing the Handfob™ our number one priority was to help gym goers reach their peak performance. With my patented motion-optimised biochip technology, the under-skin implant allows you to take your training to the next level with real time data measured more accurately than any smart tech has been able to offer before.
Gone are the days of having to charge your fitness tech and missing out on vital measurements, the Handfob™ is powered by your kinetic energy to ensure you never miss a second of monitoring.
I am excited to be part of something as revolutionary as the Handfob™ and am looking forward to seeing how this shapes the industry as the world becomes more reliant on in-palm implant technology”.
Amongst the bodily reactions the implant can measure includes blood pressure and oxygen levels with advanced ECG sensors that continuously check heart activity so members can train smarter.
Moreover, the built in GPS allows gym goers to measure their distance and speed while working out so that they can track their gains with each run, jog or walk. The integrated motion tracker can also easily be paired to other devices such as your mobile, headphones or speaker.
Counting and recording your calories has never been easier as the Handfob™ learns to automatically track your daily intake, so all members need to do is focus on their training plan.
The device also has a setting that helps track sleeping patterns with the most accurate tracker built in yet. Perfect for those who want to ensure they are getting their 8 hours of rest.
UK's longest washing line
Bluewater and Hangloose Adventure are hoping to break a new British record today as they attempt to create the UK’s longest washing line, with a difference. Organisers at Hangloose, located next to the shopping centre have turned England’s longest zip wire into a giant, 720 metre-long washing line.
Invigilators who attended the event earlier this morning will confirm later today whether the record attempt has been a success, leading to Bluewater and Hangloose earning themselves a new British record.
The record attempt, which has been months in the making, involved a team of abseiling specialists working through the night pegging more than 1,000 T-shirts to one of the four zip wires – the mammoth job was completed earlier this morning.
Alison Fogall-Hooper, pictured, a member of the Hangloose Adventure team at Bluewater, won an internal staff competition to peg the final T-shirts onto the giant washing line and hopefully take a place in the record books.
She said: “I’m normally helping people safely fly down our zip wires at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour, so to say this morning is different to my usual routine is a bit of an understatement.
“Following our final flight yesterday, the team worked through the night to make this record possible, pegging over 1,000 T-shirts on the zip wire.
“I’m delighted to be representing Hangloose Adventure at Bluewater and honoured to be pegging out the final T-shirts as we try to break the UK record for the longest washing line.”
Anti-gravity gym classes
With an influx of the world’s rich and famous heading into space, leading gym provider Anytime Fitness is giving you the chance to walk in their moon boots by launching a new anti-gravity fitness class.
Mars Muscles is your chance to feel the weightlessness of space, giving you an out-of-this-world experience and the chance to test your cosmic strength as you effortlessly swing kettlebells into the atmosphere.
Mars Muscles is guaranteed to have universal appeal to all ages, with Anytime Fitness seeing enquiries sky-rocket for the class, which will be taking place all morning on 1st April.
“We’re always looking for fun, new classes to engage our members but this has eclipsed anything we’ve tried before,” said an expert personal trainer at Anytime Fitness. “Using the latest technology, we’ve managed to create these incredible anti-gravity kettlebells which are completely alien to anything ever seen in a gym before. Our members can’t wait to try this and we hope to see plenty of people try it for themselves; we guarantee your muscles will be working all the way from your head to Uranus.”
With billionaire Elon Musk detailing his intention to put people on Mars this decade, Mars Muscles will give people an early chance to experience what it will feel like. With gravity levels on Mars a mere 38% of what we see on Planet Earth, Mars Muscles is an unmissable opportunity to try this out and with the class running all morning, make sure you take an early launch break to be there.
To book onto Mars Muscles, visit www.anytimefitness.co.uk/marsmuscles
Poo remover
Sick of picking up after your dog? Well, Pooch & Mutt are here to save the day! Introducing Poodini, the new spray that makes your dog poo disappear.
Made with all-natural ingredients, this dog poo disappearing spray gets to work in just 60 seconds. Simply wait for your pooch to finish its business and spray 2-3 pumps of the magic liquid and watch it disappear.
This handy pocket-sized bottle is perfect to take with you on the go. Made from recyclable packaging and it's friendly for the earth too.
Wed wine
Inspired by all the best yin and yang pairings, Spanish wine brand, Campo Viejo, is launching the world’s first wine dottle - the double bottle split right down the middle. This is the first wine product ever made that will contain both white and red wine – but not mixed!
Move over Ant and Dec, there’s a new favourite duo in town and its name is ‘wed’ wine. No longer will wine aficionados have to decide between a crispy white or a silky red, with Campo Viejo’s new wine.
This new product, named ‘Juntos’, meaning together in Spanish, is available from today in all good supermarkets across the UK at the RRP of £15, consumers will be able to purchase the limited-edition wine bottle, featuring both red wine, Rioja Tempranillo, and white wine, a refreshing Rioja Blanco. There is an invisible vertical insert that stops both wines from merging as one – yes, the design was semi-inspired by Spice Girl’s 2 Become 1’ (cease-and-desist pending).
Whether you’re a top (white wine lover) or a bottom (mistress of red wine), Campo Viejo ‘wed’ bottle, born in Spain, will appeal to all tastes. The right half contains hints of citrus, tropical fruit, and floral notes, to be paired perfectly with seafood, fried fish, and salads. While the left half has hints of cherry, strawberry, plum and soft toasted notes that make this red a treat to be paired with beef, pasta, chicken, salmon, and fresh light cheeses, as well as vegetarian options, such as shakshuka.
The first-ever ‘wed’ wine, perfect for the picky drinker this Spring hits shelves today. Campo Viejo has gone to grape lengths to stock the dottle in supermarkets across the nation, including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and Asda at an RRP of £15.
Cheese toastie soft drink
This April, the first ever cheese toastie flavoured soft drink hits the UK market! Inspired by the classic lunch time snack, which Brits eat over four billion of each year, this new tangy flavour adds to a line of sour soft drinks available in Peach, Lemon, Apple, Cherry and Cheese Toastie!
Available to purchase from today, the cheese toastie flavoured drink offers people a unique experience of a tangy cheese taste encapsulated in a fizzy soft drink sensation. At just £1 per can, this unicorn of a drink is a must for adventurous foodies and drink lovers alike.
The brand behind the madness is Chu Lo, a sour soft drinks company who were inspired to create the distinctive flavour by the one and only Gordon Ramsay. Last night, the founder Steph Buttery, appeared on the first ever series of Gordon Ramsay’s Future Food Stars where after being challenged to sell snacks on the beach, Gordon exclaims that “no one will wait 40 minutes for a cheese toastie”. In response, Chu Lo has created a readily available, on demand, cheese toastie flavoured drink, exclusively to Chu Lo, so that no one has to wait in line for that irresistible tangy cheese flavour again.
Steph Buttery, Founder of Chu Lo, said: “Gordon Ramsay is a huge inspiration to me personally and as soon as I heard his words of wisdom about the demand for cheese toasties, I just knew we had to create something incredible and cheesy. And, so, the cheese toastie Chu Lo was born. We’ve been working non stop ever since filming to perfect that indulgent, mature cheddar flavour and it is truly tantalising!”
At-seat bottomless Bovril dispenser
Bovril has long been known as traditional football fare, warming the terraces since 1886. To mark this affiliation, the beefy heritage brand is partnering with the world’s oldest football club, Sheffield FC, to grant fans access to their own personal Bovril drinks dispenser – which can be used to access bottomless Bovril, right from their very own seats.
The news comes following the announcement of the football club’s new stadium, which comprises a 4,000-seat arena at Meadowfield in Sheffield – to be known as ‘The Home of Football’. Home to some of the most die-hard footie fans in the UK, Sheffield FC supporters will be able to freely pour themselves as many bevvies of hot beefy Bovril as they want, without any extra cost. No waiting, no queues, and no need to BYOB (Bring Your Own Bovril) as Sheffield FC has got your back!
The new stadium will see Sheffield FC return to its birthplace, where the game of football was brought to life, with an exciting new installation that is sure to get its fans hot and bovvered, taking the crown for the most modern live-sports arena in the country!
Once the stadium is up and running, football fans will be able to get their kicks from the handy Bovril dispensers, which they can enjoy throughout the match. There will be enough of them in the ground for everyone - so no fighting, please… unless you want a red from the ref!
The iconic beefy beverage will accompany all fans as Sheffield FC embark on this new chapter – offering the perfect companion for 90 minutes of beef on (and off) the pitch!
Mary Fulford, Brand Manager at Bovril, said:“Bovril has been a footy fan’s favourite since 1886, and as the world’s oldest football club, it’s likely we’ve been warming the terraces of Sheffield FC for well over 100 years so this seemed like the perfect opportunity to partner with the club. After all, the only thing better than attending a match, is attending a match with bottomless Bovril! We want footy fans up and down the country to tweet us via @bovril_official to find out which other stadiums would benefit from our in-seat bottomless Bovril dispensers. Coming soon to a stadium near you!”
Giving fans the insider scoop on the collaboration, Sheffield FC chairman, Richard Tims, said: "We make no secret of how proud we are to represent the originators of the World’s most popular and beloved sport. The construction of our new stadium offered up the perfect opportunity to partner with one of football’s most esteemed brands in the process.
Tradition and heritage are entrenched within the ethos of the club, so we’re pleased to be partnering with Bovril (who share these same values) to offer our fans a completely unique matchday experience, whilst coming to support this great club.”
