17 news headlines that will grab your attention

Sometimes for the right reasons - sometimes not. Headline howlers and heroes, including the legendary "Gordon Ramsay Sex Dwarf Eaten by Badger".

The mid-morning calm of newsrooms around the globe was shattered today when news broke of the death of former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher.

As journalists scrambled to their 'obituary' files, the rush to get the news out there inevitably led to a few errors, including this from the normally-reliable BBC:

(@HeardinLondon via Twitter )

Which was actually apt, given the circumstances.

It's not the first time that this has happened, and it won't be the last - enjoy our selection of headline howlers as well as a few gems of the craft that are worthy of our admiration.

WHEN GOOD HEADLINES GO BAD

1. It could have been worse

They could have done as CNN did, with this unfortunate juxtaposition.

(@fieldproducer via Twitter )

2. A bad day for this online ad slogan

In fairness, nobody could have forseen this - the RTÉ website today.

(@dinglesurf via Twitter )

3. Elsewhere, local news is still king

By lunchtime, news of Thatcher's death had not yet filtered through to Brighton

4. We did not know they had a commission for that

A run of bad luck for the BBC, it seems - it's only a day or two since we were chortling at this one.

(PoliticalPryers via Twitter)

5. Not trying hard enough

Every put-upon subeditor can have a bad day, but sometimes a lack of effort shines through.

We're thinking this guy just wanted to go home.

(Xanitarou via Reddit)

6. Stating the obvious much?

Yes, we get that.

Thank you, Captain Obvious.

7. Speaking of which

Exclusive!

(Freakonomics.com)

8. Back to The Argus

Remember the Brighton Argus? When it comes to local news headlines, they are the undisputed heavyweight champions.

(via The Poke)

9. Remember this?

And yet, closer to home there are challengers for the belt.

This, from the Irish Sun in 2011, is nothing shy of genius. Teach us, sensei.

(The Irish Sun)

10. A classic of the genre

No, you're right there. Can't argue with that.

(Freakonomics.com)

11. No word on Rory

We've had no end of column inches concerning McIlroys' clubs, but the issue of his balls is rarely raised.

(Freakonomics.com)

12. Gordon Ramsay sex dwarf eaten by badger

Is NOT a typo… but apparently there was not a grain of truth in this eye-catching story from the Sunday Sport.

Well, colour us surprised.

13. Dear editors: Read aloud

The pitfalls are many when composing stories about the church.

14. This stuff needs a different name

Because neither words are appropriate here.

(Freakonomics.com)

15. You do NOT want to hear where it came from

Trust us, you really don't.

(Jabbid111 via Reddit)

16. We knew Harry Styles was a goer…

… but this is ridiculous.

(Sunday Independent)

17. And finally…

There are no words. Quite enough of them have been used here already, thank you.

(Mail Online)