Comic actor Rik Mayall apologised today for terrifying two complete strangers by pulling a gun on them in a "spur-of-the-moment" stunt which ended with him spending up to six hours in the cells.
The incident took place in Endell Street, Covent Garden, on Saturday morning. But police didn't find Mayall's stunt very funny - an armed response unit was called out and Mayall, 37, and a female companion were arrested and taken to Bow Street police station for questioning.
Speaking at his home in Notting Hill, Mayall seemed embarrassed by the joke that backfired on him. He said: "It was just a mistake, really. It was just a toy gun and I was messing about and got myself arrested.
"It was just a bit silly. I didn't know the people at all. I want to say, for any distress I've caused them, I want to apologise very deeply. I haven't even met them.
"And I want to praise the police for being so nice. They weren't nice because my name is Rik Mayall, they were nice because they are nice people. They were called Philip and David. I was in the cell for five or six hours, and then I went off to do my matinee performance. There aren't going to be any charges.
"I was taking all my stuff home from the theatre, because the play I am in is closing down. I had my fan mail and my prop guns, and I just pointed one of the guns at some people. It was a spur-of-the-moment thing."
The comic refused to comment on whether he had been drinking before the incident, saying only: "I'm sorry it happened."
Mayall is currently starring in Cell Mates at the Albery Theatre, which made news when his co-star Stephen Fry disappeared after three performances. The play is to close on Saturday.
A police spokesman said a decision on whether to charge Mayall would be made by the Crown Prosecution Service.