Purveyors of succulent Chinese meals, rejoice. For the man behind the (in)famous "democracy manifest" video has been found alive and well - and he's not a Hungarian chess master, but a humble painter from Queensland.

In a tell-all interview with a sports betting company, Jack K (previously known as Cecil Edwards) says the viral video captures a bungled police sting.

Surrounded by police, the man is amazed at being arrested, exclaiming: "Gentlemen, this is democracy manifest!"

And it turns out the memorable arrest, which took place in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley about three decades ago, was covered by none other than veteran journalist Chris Reason in his first year at Channel Seven.

If you are thoroughly confused, then please pretend this article never happened.