Laurence explains on The Project how he managed to get stuck naked in a washing machine. Courtesy:Channel Ten

HE BECAME an internet sensation overnight after he was found naked, stuck in a top-loader washing machine.

And now the biggest question of all has finally been answered - what on earth was he doing?

Laurence, the man in question, said he wasn't hiding from his girlfriend, as previously reported, but he just "decided to have a bit of sneaky fun while in the nude". As one does. Ahem.

What started as a seemingly harmless experiment and practical joke, ended with a collaborative rescue by police, firefighters, paramedics, Tatura SES and Shepparton Search and Rescue Squad.

It was initially reported that the man from Mooroopna in country Victoria was aiming to surprise his girlfriend with his clever choice of hiding spot when he became firmly wedged.

Emergency services were called, and after 20 minutes, freed the naked man by greasing him up with olive oil.

But an interview with Laurence, courtesy of the STAR FM Shepparton Tommy and Candy show , reveals a few more juicy details.

News_Image_File: Emergency services attend a home in Mooroopna, Victoria after the naked man found himself stuck in a washing machine. Source: Shepparton News

Laurence claims he was about to have a shower and thought he'd pop into the laundry and try to hide in the top-loader washing machine. Luckily he had the presence of mind to take his mobile phone with him.

"I've been in stranger places if that's possible," he said. "I've always been a practical joker. I thought 'I can easily fit in there', but the way I sat in there with my legs crossed, it was impossible to get back out."

Laurence said he was almost 6 foot tall, and a decent build. It's a wonder he fit in there in the first place.

Realising he might be in a sticky situation, Laurence called his friend. A girl. Not his official girlfriend as initially reported, he assured us.

After convincing her that he wasn't joking, he asked her to call his parents and ask them to bring an angle grinder to "chop it down the middle" or otherwise call emergency services. Luckily his friend chose the latter option.

According to Laurence, when the rescue teams arrived most of them were shocked and "stood around in awe".

During the rescue, Laurence asked his friend to get him a cigarette, which he smoked naked, while sitting in the washing machine. What an image.

The emergency rescue team tried using shower conditioners and olive oil to lubricate the internal walls of the machine, to no avail. Finally Laurence suggested that they drag the machine out and tip it on its side.

"As soon as we did that I sort of just fell out onto the floor," he said.

News_Rich_Media: Naked man stuck in washing machine

''He was very well wedged in there and we were concerned for his health and wellbeing,'' Sergeant Michelle De Araugo said. "It was just a game gone wrong. It would be fair to say the gentleman was very embarrassed.''

In the days that followed the incident Laurence's story received global attention, appearing in the BBC, Sky News and The Times among others. And Laurence's response to all the media scrutiny?

"I thought that the guys down at the pub will hang s**t on me. It all got blown out of proportion. Friends started sending me links, saying 'it's on the BBC'."

He's had time to reflect on the absurdity of the situation though, and wants to thank the emergency services "who didn't ask too many questions".

And when asked if he found any lost socks in the washing machine while he was in there, he replied "No, I never lose socks."

Some people get all the luck.

News_Image_File: STAR FM Shepparton's Tommy (right) decided to try getting into a front-loader himself, for a 'Who wore it better' stunt. Your vote?

Listen to the full interview with Laurence here.

Have you ever found yourself stuck in a sticky situation or a strange place? Comment below or join the conversation on Twitter @newscomauHQ | @gracekoelma

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