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Simon Duke

Ant and Dec's April Fool prank has some fans convinced as they launch Bitcoin rival Toon Coin

Ant and Dec managed to pull the wool over some people's eyes with their Bitcoin inspired April Fool prank that saw them go to great lengths to be as convincing as possible.

A year ago, the Geordie duo had some fans questioning their entire existence as they announced that after over 30 years together in showbiz, they were having a rebrand to become Dec and Ant. Ant and Dec's April Fool prank caused quite a stir, with one fan reacting: "April fools really ain’t for someone as gullible as me. Been out here all morning thinking Ant and Dec have really changed their name to Dec and Ant for business reasons. someone take me out back."

And the lads have done it again for 2022 with the launch of Toon Coin. In a tweet posted just after 8am, Ant and Dec boasted: "Big news! We have joined the crypto revolution and launched Toon Coin.

READ MORE: Ant and Dec divide fans with Saturday Night Takeaway announcement

"This project has been in the works for a while having started it all the way back in the early 90s! Huge thanks to Safri Pollo for making it possible."

The tweet linked to Ant and Dec's website and, rather than be greeted by an April Fool message, those who clicked were greeted by a very official looking and very convincing press release, which read: "The decision to launch their own crypto currency comes after years of development that was initially thwarted by the demands of their TV and music careers."

The release featured quotes from both Ant and Dec, with Ant saying: "We actually started developing Toon Coin back in the early 90s as a way of simplifying PJ and Duncan gig ticket sales.

"We were on the brink of something back then, but it had to take a back seat when we released our Psyche album."

Dec explained: "And here we are, all these years later!” Dec says. “Safri Pollo has enabled us to realise a dream that we didn’t think was possible, and for that we’re extremely grateful.”

Taking the prank further, Ant added: "It’s not commonly known, but Bitcoin creator Satoshi Nakamoto was actually a Boom operator on Byker Grove, back in the day!"

While the date on the calendar and Safri Pollo being an anagram for April Fool alerted some fans to the prank straight away, others were happy to admit they'd fallen for it. One told Ant and Dec: "Not me being interested then seeing the comments and realising I’ve been done."

Also taken in, a second replied: "God damnit I'd invest," while others praised Ant and Dec for the lengths they went to.

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