Meet the man who is known as "King Of Inkland".
King Body Art, known to his pals as B-art, has described, it was difficult for him to find work because of his extreme appearance, but even when he did, he was treated unfairly
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Ever wonder why tattoo fans are cautioned against getting inked in places that can't be covered? This is because of the fear that it will make it more difficult for them to find work in the future.
The most tattooed man in Britain, who has 90% of his body covered in ink, certainly proves that.
(Image: tiktok.com/@tattooedtory)
Matthew Whelen, aka King Body Art, says he was treated differently at a call center.
In an "office reshuffle," the 42-year-old claimed he was hidden from management due to his appearance.
(Image: tiktok.com/@tattooedtory)
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Speaking to the Daily Star, King said: "You bring ultimate restrictions upon yourself by looking different. That's not just alternative people.
"Basically the reason why you won't get a job is not that you look totally different, it's because people won't give you a job.
(Image: tiktok.com/@tattooedtory)
"It also depends on what industry is and their dress code. I think a dress code should just be that - clothing", he continued.
"This appearance, this extreme alternative look can restrict people and has restricted me in the past, even when I've been in employment.
(Image: tiktok.com/@tattooedtory)
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He also said, "I got shuffled around from one office to another when I was working in a call centre. The managers were coming up so they decided to have a move around in the office.
"The person they got to move was me. I got shifted from one end of the office down to the bottom when the managers come up."
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But that life appears to be behind him, as he has found success in acting parts such as BBC's Doctors.
Even on-screen, his options are restricted, as the Birmingham-based tattoo junkie thinks he is frequently typecast in prisoner roles due to his appearance.
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He said: "I'm not gonna pop up in Downton Abbey as an actor, am I? Unless having an alternative scene or someone's tripping out or something I suppose.
"But I have been in some TV programs I've about featuring doctors. You are given normally a stereotypical role, usually prisoners.
"I was a prison prisoner with one of the main leads in, in BBC doctors, for example."
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Even though the stigma still exists, King insists he would have it no other way because he enjoys being considered a "living work of art" throughout his life.
In order to keep up with the trends, he will be adding more ink in January 2023 and regularly updating TikTok, Twitter and Instagram.
