Former Arsenal and Everton winger Anders Limpar has reflected on the extraordinary hidden-camera prank that convinced him he had accidentally travelled two years into the future during a flight in 1997.
The Swedish TV show Blasningen («The Prank») staged an elaborate hoax involving actors posing as scientists, fake military jets, a manipulated newspaper, and even Limpar’s best friend. The then-Everton star was flying with a friend when two «scientists» seated beside him claimed they were experimenting with time travel. Mid-flight, alarms sounded, the plane shook, and fighter jets appeared alongside the aircraft as the pilot loudly announced that the flight had been missing for two years.
«When the plane started dipping, I thought, ‘Something strange has happened,’» Limpar recalled.
Upon landing, the footballer was met by actors playing military officials who told him statues had been erected in honour of the passengers’ «historic achievement». They further claimed his family had already held a funeral for him and that Norway had won the 1998 World Cup—much to Limpar’s disbelief. Even his friend’s puppy had been swapped for a full-grown dog to maintain the illusion.
The prank ended only when the «King of Norway» revealed himself to be the show’s host and told Limpar he had just starred in Sweden’s most elaborate stunt of 1997. Limpar later learned the production cost around £200,000.
Speaking years on, the former Sweden international admitted the experience left a lasting emotional impact.
«We thought we were dead,» he said. «I was angry afterward because it made me a laughing stock in Sweden.»
Despite the frustration, Limpar now describes the stunt as «incredible» and says he can appreciate the scale and creativity behind it, though he acknowledges it affected his public image for years.
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