As the saying goes, the early bird gets the worm, and there's only a short window of time to make the most of a little April Fools Day prank before people start to catch on. We've enjoyed a good prank in the past, like the Brains Brewery planning to build the UK’s first underwater pub in Cardiff Bay — but this year's was something people really seemed to want to happen.
In case you missed it, we reported that Welsh footballing hero Gareth Bale was to be honoured by a renaming of the Second Severn Crossing to the 'Gareth Bale Bridge / Pont Gareth Bale', just four years after it was controversially dubbed the Prince of Wales Bridge.
One app user named 'Sometimes' took the bait, writing: "ABSOLUTELY UNBELIEVABLE... It will always be known as the SEVEN BRIDGE." They weren't alone, Jason Baker was also disappointed with another name change: "The Severn Bridge, and that's what I will call it always, changing things with names leave them as they are."
Read more: The story of Yma o Hyd and how Welsh football fans left singer Dafydd Iwan in tears
Many caught on quickly, with honourable mentions to website users CaptainBeany, Bungynavy, Coby1, Welshgal1968, Iska, OwenJones and RC251H who were some of the first to call us out. Others, however, decided to join in on the joke.
App user Pilot66 wrote: "Yes I drove over earlier and saw them changing the signs. They are even bigger than the last ones and there is a photo of him so people know who he is." User Shootinthebox added, "Rumour has it that it will only work when Wales are playing."
Those who weren't fooled were quick to point out that, despite our fun, the idea was still a good one. Did we fool you? Let us know in the comments. On Facebook, Anita Powell wrote: "Far better to be named after one of our rugby/football heroes than any Englishman." Marie Sian David-Jones agreed: "He’s done more for Wales and the feeling of well-being than the other!!! So why not!"
Others agreed with our renaming, Gareth Chapman wrote: "That's what it should be," and Selwyn Townsend said it was "the best name ever." Some even had some adaptations to our renaming, with Audrea Dixon stating: "It should read, welcome to Wales, home of golf and football. Viva Gareth Bale Bridge." Website users SG-1 added: "The Sir Gareth Bale bridge, sounds good to me."
The subject of which Welsh icons should be honoured with a bridge named after them also surfaced. Many of you suggested Pont Alun Wyn, as well as Pont Dewi Sant, The Michael Sheen Bridge and the Princess Cerys Matthews Bridge. As things stand, however, the bridge will remain as The Prince of Wales Bridge and we are not aware of any plans for this to change. Gareth Bale is yet to comment on our redesign.
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