Police E-Fit Resembling Gary Barlow Triggers Online Mockery and Viral Sensation
An e-fit image released by Kent Police in connection with a robbery investigation has unexpectedly captured the public's imagination, not for its forensic accuracy, but for its uncanny resemblance to a beloved pop icon. The computer-generated composite, intended to help identify a suspect, has instead become a source of widespread amusement and viral commentary across social media platforms.
Social Media Erupts with Celebrity Comparisons
The digital portrait, shared by Kent Police on their official social media accounts, depicts a white male aged between 45 and 50, standing approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall, with fair hair styled in twists and a braided beard. However, it was the facial features that immediately drew comparisons to Gary Barlow, the renowned frontman of the iconic band Take That. Hundreds of comments flooded the post, with users humorously noting the striking similarity.
One observer quipped, "They always look like Gary Barlow," while another creatively referenced the band's classic hit, writing, "Whatever he said or whatever he did, he didn’t mean it." The lighthearted response overshadowed the serious nature of the crime, which involved a bag being snatched from a teenage boy after threats were made near Ramsgate train station on December 16, 2025.
Beyond Barlow: A Cascade of Pop Culture References
The online reaction extended far beyond comparisons to the Take That star. Commenters enthusiastically drew parallels to various elements of popular culture, further amplifying the post's viral reach. References included:
- The spoof spy film Johnny English, suggesting the e-fit resembled a comedic character from the movie.
- Video game franchises such as Grand Theft Auto (GTA) and The Sims, with users joking about the digital, almost cartoonish quality of the image.
- Other celebrity lookalikes, including actor Paddy Considine from MobLand and American comedian Andrew Santino.
This barrage of pop culture nods transformed a routine police appeal into an unexpected internet phenomenon, diverting attention from the investigative purpose to communal entertainment.
A Pattern of Police E-Fits Facing Public Scrutiny
This incident is not an isolated case of law enforcement facing online ridicule over e-fit images. Essex Police encountered a similar situation when they released a composite sketch of a man wanted in connection with an assault in Chelmsford. The e-fit, characterized by exaggerated features like a very wide face, large nose, and lips, was met with a wave of jokes rather than useful tips.
Social media users responded with witty remarks, such as, "I think I played Wii tennis against that guy," and, "Oh that reminds me, I need to check on my Sims characters." Others compared it to characters from Men in Black or suggested the image looked like someone whose head had been comically compressed. A spokesperson for Essex Police detailed the assault, which left a man in his 60s with injuries to his head, face, hand, and leg, but the investigative appeal was largely drowned out by the humorous commentary.
The Serious Appeal Amidst the Humour
Despite the overwhelming focus on the e-fit's amusing aspects, Kent Police reiterated the serious context of their appeal. The robbery in Ramsgate involved a teenage victim who was threatened in an alleyway near the train station around 4:30 PM. Officers attended the scene and conducted initial enquiries, leading to the creation of the e-fit in hopes of identifying the perpetrator.
The force has urged anyone with relevant information to come forward to assist the ongoing investigation. However, the viral reaction highlights a modern challenge for police communications: balancing public engagement with maintaining the gravity of criminal appeals in the age of social media, where images can quickly become memes detached from their original, serious intent.
