Archive: A look back at the 1957 spaghetti harvest

This clip from 1957 is believed to be one of the first televised April Fools pranks.

Panorama reports from lake Lugano, Switzerland, where the combination of a mild winter and the virtual disappearance of pests like the spaghetti weevil, has resulted in a bumper spaghetti crop.

Some viewers failed to see the funny side and criticised the BBC for airing the item on what is supposed to be a serious factual programme.

Others, however, were so intrigued they wanted to find out where they could purchase their very own spaghetti bush.

1 April 2024