A large number of people are anticipated to take part in the yearly No Trousers Tube Ride when it returns to the London Underground this weekend.
The event, which began in 2009, will fall on Sunday, January 12 this year.
Londoners are told to meet at the Old Pagoda in Chinatown from 2.45pm for a 3pm start in just their underwear to partake in the brazen stunt.
No Trousers Tube Ride
Some passengers drew more attention to themselves than others (EPA)
Hundreds of passengers took part in the bizarre annual event (EPA)
Londoners on trains all over the capital saw far more than they wished to (EPA)
Just a normal Tube journey… but no trousers (EPA)
A group of brave passengers is snapped at Elephant and Castle (EPA)
Chilly (EPA)
Travel in style (EPA)
Passenger frolick on London’s Bakerloo line (EPA)
The phenomenon was born after seven friends in the US boarded the New York subway without their trousers for a joke (EPA)
Mind the gap (EPA)
Nothing to see here (EPA)
The day is all about the hilarity that comes with someone not wearing trousers and taking it all in their stride.
Participants in past years have worn crazy underwear, but this year’s organiser wants to keep things subtle.
This year’s No Trousers riders are asked to “keep the (under)pants as normal or low-key as possible, so it looks like you’ve just forgotten your trousers”.
What is the No Trousers Tube Ride?
The No Trousers Tube Ride is an annual event in which Londoners remove their trousers and ride the Tube in their pants.
No trousers on the Tube day 2020- In pictures
People as they take part in the 11th annual No Trousers Tube Ride in London (PA)
People pose as they take part in the annual ‘No Trousers On The Tube Day’ at Waterloo Station (AFP via Getty Images)
People pose for a photograph at Waterloo Station (AFP via Getty Images)
People pose as they take part in the annual ‘No Trousers On The Tube Day’ (AFP via Getty Images)
People exit the Underground as they take part in the annual ‘No Trousers On The Tube Day’ (AFP via Getty Images)
People take part in the annual ‘No Trousers On The Tube Day’ (AFP via Getty Images)
People take part in the annual ‘No Trousers On The Tube Day’ (AFP via Getty Images)
People take part in the annual ‘No Trousers On The Tube Day’ (AFP via Getty Images)
People take part in the annual ‘No Trousers On The Tube Day’ (AFP via Getty Images)
People take part in the annual ‘No Trousers On The Tube Day’ (AFP via Getty Images)
People take part in the annual ‘No Trousers On The Tube Day’ (AFP via Getty Images)
The idea is to act completely normal – by reading a paper or listening to music – while being trouserless.
When is the No Trousers Tube Ride?
The No Trousers Tube Ride will take place at 3pm on Sunday, January 12.
Participants are told to arrive in warm clothes as we’re in the middle of winter and its still pretty cold outside.
Who can take part in the No Trousers Tube Ride?
Anyone can take part in the No Trousers Tube Ride. They would just need to head to Old Pagoda in Chinatown to meet the event organisers leading the participants to nearby Tube stations.
Organisers have not revealed the route ahead of time. All participants are asked to behave safely around others and be mindful of their own safety.
How did the No Trousers Tube Ride start?
It’s all just a bit of fun and not a political statement or attached to a charity.
The No Trousers Tube Ride began in 2009 and was inspired by the No Pants Subway Ride, which was created by Improv Everywhere in New York in 2002.
The first-ever event in New York City in 2006 involved seven trouserless men boarding the subway train, one at each stop for seven consecutive stops, pretending not to notice each other. The train was stopped and eight people were handcuffed and taken into custody for not wearing trousers but the charges were later dismissed.
The following year, hundreds of people took part and, in 2008, the event went international, with nine cities participating. Since 2010, thousands of New Yorkers have taken part in the annual prank. More than 60 cities around the world now stage the event, including Berlin, Lisbon, Tokyo and Toronto.