A Darwin man who shot to fame after lighting a firecracker stuck in his buttocks says his condition is not as bad as people thought.
Alex Bowden, 23, made headlines as far away as Alaska after police said he put a firecracker between his buttocks and lit it as a prank at a party on Saturday.
There were concerns Mr Bowden would need to be flown to a specialist burns unit in Adelaide because of his injuries.
But Mr Bowden told the NT News things were not as bad as people thought.
He confirmed he had enjoyed a few beers before he put a spinning "flying bee" firework in his buttocks and had a friend light the fuse.
He said he burned his fingers and his buttock cheeks, but his genitals and back were fine.
"I just had a few beers with the boys and let off a few firecrackers," Mr Bowden told the paper.
"And I put one in my arse.
"I had a few lads up from Queensland and I had to put on a good show."
After initially indicating he would speak to AAP from his hospital bed on Tuesday, staff at the Royal Darwin Hospital said he had a change of heart and didn't want to talk to journalists.
Mr Bowden's mother reportedly thought the situation with her son was funny.