Michael Barrymore was today spotted in Hyde Park for a cannabis protest as people lit up in front of police on Easter Sunday.
The former Strike It Lucky host, 72, wearing a £165 Heresy knitted jumper, looked on and smiled as hundreds of pot smokers gathered for the annual 420 pro drugs rally.
Hordes of cannabis lovers could be seen across the park to mark the yearly event as police confirmed it had arrested four people and seized five sound systems.
The event is held every year on April 20 and is part of an international movement that calls for the illegal drug to be decriminalised.
Barrymore posted a clip on his TikTok channel of him posing for pictures ‘despite it not really being my thing, especially as it’s Easter Sunday’.
The former TV star, who attended the rally for the first time, said he ‘just popped up for a quick look at what was going on’.
‘There wasn’t much, and it was really quiet,’ he said.
The video then cut to a cannabis plant which Barrymore said ‘the police weren’t too bothered about’.
Michael Barrymore was today spotted in Hyde Park for a cannabis protest as people lit up in front of police on Easter Sunday
Hordes of cannabis lovers could be seen across the park to mark the yearly event which calls for the Class B drug to be decriminalised
A person is searched by police outside Hyde Park as people gathered to smoke cannabis
He said it had almost turned into an ‘improvised meet and greet for me’ as there were ‘so many people who recognised me, and everyone was lovely’.
But he appeared to be disappointed by the rally and felt ‘there needed to be a bit more going on’.
Giving some advice on how he would improve the rally, as the video cut to him laughing as he took a swipe at a boxing arcade machine, he said: ‘Can you imagine how well a pop-up burger or some cookie stores would do?
‘And it needed some music to. So, put a stage in and I’ll be back next year.’
Barrymore previously revealed about taking medical cannabis having suffered from anxiety, depression, and PTSD in the past.
He said it also helps with his alcoholism.
Barrymore in 2014 opened up to Jeremy Kyle about his drug use in a no holds barred interview saying weed was his favourite ‘because it makes you laugh and I liked laughing’.
People could be seen lounging on the grass smoking the Class B drug as officers strolled through the smoke-filled crowds.
Met Police told MailOnline that four people had been arrested.
A spokesperson for the force said: ‘Officers have maintained a policing presence at the 420 Day rally, known as the cannabis day event in Hyde Park on Sunday, 20 April.
People wearing onesies, with one of them wearing a bucket hat adorned with cannabis leaves, unpack their bag
Cannabis lovers sit on the grass with some seen rolling and lighting up joints in front of police officers
‘Using cannabis and other recreational drugs is illegal. Officers intervened and used enforcement options where proportionate and necessary.
‘Four people were arrested for offences including possession of an imitation firearm, possession of a bladed weapon, possession of Class A and Class B drugs, failure to appear in court and assault against a police officer. Officers also issued 45 community resolutions, seized five sound systems, issued 27 dispersal notices and six penalty notices.
‘Officers will remain in the area and a section 35 dispersal order in place until midnight.’
Royal Parks warned earlier this week those turning up to smoke cannabis are liable to be arrested.
A Met spokesperson said earlier this week: ‘The Met is aware of the 420 Day rally, also known as the cannabis day event, in Hyde Park on Sunday, 20 April and have a policing plan for the day.
‘Using cannabis and other recreational drugs is illegal. Officers will intervene and use enforcement options where proportionate and necessary.
‘Our main priority is to ensure park users are safe and achieving that requires officers to make pragmatic decisions, potentially prioritising those offences that pose the most immediate risk.
‘Officers will enforce legislation under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 through community resolution orders, penalty notice for disorder, postal charge requisitions and arrest, particularly if there is associated anti-social behaviour, disorder or crime.
‘There will be a strong and visible police presence across Hyde Park. We encourage park users to speak to officers if they have concerns. Always call 999 in an emergency.’
A statement issued by the Royal Parks said: ‘Please be aware that a ‘420 Day’ rally, which is part of an international movement to protest against the illegality of cannabis, is expected to take place in Hyde Park on Sunday 20 April without our permission.
‘Unfortunately, we anticipate that thousands of people will turn up and Hyde Park may be busier than usual.
‘This is not a festival, and amplified music, gazebos or stages will not be permitted.
A woman appears to smoke on a giant doobie as people crowd around her to cheer and hold up their mobile phones to take photos and videos
Four police officers could be seen clustered together as people around them smoked cannabis
People could be seen lounging on the grass smoking the Class B drug as officers strolled through the smoke-filled crowds
‘The Royal Parks has not given permission for this unauthorised assembly in Hyde Park, and it is in breach of The Royal Parks’ regulations.
‘The Metropolitan Police are aware that this unauthorised assembly is due to take place and have advised that people may be liable for prosecution or arrest. Enforcement of the law and of park regulations is a matter for the Metropolitan Police.
‘While the park will remain open, we advise visitors to be aware that this rally is taking place and to note that both The Royal Parks Shop and boating on the Serpentine Lake in Hyde Park will be closed on that day.’
April 20, or 420 as it is known, is a day where millions of weed smokers come together to mark an unofficial holiday dedicated to marijuana.
Potheads in 38 US states can enjoy the day legally while in the other states and here in the UK drug users will partake in the holiday illegally.
London’s Hyde Park has become a popular destination for 420 as thousands of smokers descend on the royal park to light up a doobie often in full view of police.
The origin of the popular tradition is somewhat shrouded in mystery with many modern-day myths popping up about where it came from.
According to TIME Magazine, one of the most concrete theories about the roots of what became 420 was started by a group of students in California in the 60s.
The students, Steve Capper, Dave Reddix, Jeffrey Noel, Larry Schwartz, and Mark Gravich, would get together by the school’s statue of chemist Louis Pasteur to smoke.
They would meet at the rendezvous point at 4.20pm. But the time had no significant meaning, it was just the time when their extracurricular activities ended.
As Marijuana was still illegal in California in the 60s the group, who became known as the ‘Waldos’ soon started using 420 as a secret code for going for a smoke.
4.20pm is now often touted as the best time of the day to start smoking the narcotic.
Other theories about the origin of the holiday are also connected to California. Some people believe 420 was a police code in the US state for marijuana.
According to the Daily Star, others think it is the number of active chemicals in the drug.
Another theory revolves around Bob Dylan’s song Rainy Day Woman #12 & 35 as the number 12 multiplied by 35 equals 420.
Mr Dylan did famously enjoy smoking weed in the 1960s and it is widely believed he was the first person to get fellow rock and roll legends the Beatles high when they met in New York in 1964.
