52 per cent of the UK does not believe the moon landings happened, and that is not the first time that number has made headlines recently.

A survey found that 52 per cent of adults thought the 1969 moon landings were fake, a similar number to other Britons who share unorthodox beliefs unsupported by evidence.

Scientist Mary Fisher said: “52 per cent. Funny coincidence, 52 per cent of people denying well-documented truths in favour of wild imaginings from shady conspiracists.

“It’s almost as if 52 per cent of the country is credulous to the point of idiocy. Maybe we should have a vote on whether there even is a moon, and if they win we’ll all agree tides are caused by sea monsters.”

Roy Hobbs of Middlesbrough said: “The moon landings never took place, fact, and these Mooniacs need to get over it and stop whining.

“The 52 per cent have spoken. We’re never wrong.”