Fake News April 2024

Is it true that staff at a wildlife centre dressed up as a fox to help care for a rescued cub?

• Real

• Fake

Answer explanation

It's real!

Staff at a wildlife centre in Virginia, USA, donned the foxy attire when feeding an orphaned cub, which had been found in an alley before being taken into the centre's care.

The staff wore a fox mask, as well as taking other precautions, to ensure the cub didn't become too used to living in human care.

This makes it more likely that the cub could one day be returned to the wild.

Was a grandmother left dangling from height after getting caught in a shop's shutters?

• Real

• Fake

Answer explanation

It's real!

Anne Hughes literally had her life turned upside down this month, when a clip of her being lifted 7ft in the air by a convenience store's shutters was shared online. 

The video of the 71-year-old, who's been dubbed 'SuperAnne' online, has been viewed over two million times.

Is the news that the 'London Eye' was dismantled this month, ahead of a move to the Scottish Highlands true?

• Real

• Fake

Answer explanation

It's fake!

Apologies to anyone in Scotland, but the London Eye will be staying exactly where it is!

This post, which has been shared 23k times, used photos from the London Eye's original construction in 1999. It claimed the pictures were evidence that the famous landmark was being disassembled for a move to Scotland, where it would be renamed The Loch Lomond 'Aye'.

Did a charity really appeal for tattooed and bearded volunteers to help train guide dogs?

• Real

• Fake

Answer explanation

It's real!

Sight loss charity Guide Dogs put out a call for volunteers with facial hair, tattoos and other distinctive characteristics.

This came after research showed that two-thirds of dogs reacted with fear or confusion to people with features they hadn't been exposed to before.

The charity is looking for volunteers with distinctive characteristics, in the hope of exposing puppies to all the types of people they might encounter in daily life.

Is the disastrous viral Glasgow Willy Wonka event really set to be turned into a stage musical, or is this fake news?

• Real

• Fake

Answer explanation

It's real!

The show, based on the viral Willy Wonka event in Glasgow, is hoping to launch later this year to bring audiences into a world of pure harmonisation. 

The event gained attention on social media, after less than stellar reviews from parents surfaced online. With a common complaint being that the event, which was advertised using AI artwork, was completely mis-sold and overpriced.

Is British actor Sheridan Smith really set to star as Kate Middleton in a new 6-part series for ITV?

• Real

• Fake

Answer explanation

It's fake!

This month, Kate Middleton announced that she had been diagnosed with cancer, putting an end to social media speculation about her whereabouts.

Prior to this, various rumours about the Princess had swirled around on social media, including one saying that she was set to be played by Sheridan Smith in a 6-part ITV drama.

This tweet received over 2.8 million views and was even referenced on ITV’s ‘This Morning’.

It is, however, fake news, as no ITV drama about Kate is currently in the works.

Are reports that pop icon Bruno Mars owes $50 million in gambling debts true, or is this fake news?

• Real

• Fake

Answer explanation

It's fake!

Reports that Bruno Mars had landed himself in $50 million of gambling debt during his Las Vegas residency, began to circulate online this month. 

MGM Casino, who the singer was alleged to be in debt with, have denied the claim.

Is it true that Queen Camilla swapped Buckingham for Barbieland, receiving her own personalised Barbie at a recent event?

• Real

• Fake

Answer explanation

It's real!

The Queen was presented with the doll for her work as President of the Women Of The World Foundation, a charity supporting gender equality and the achievements of women and girls. 

Queen Camilla was given her mini-me at an event celebrating International Women's Day.