Britain’s most tattooed man was ‘hidden’ from managers at work over extreme appearance

On Oct 7, 2022

Tattoo fans are often warned against getting inkedin places that can’t be covered in case it becomes a challenge to get a job.

And for Britain’s most tattooed man – who has 90% of his body covered in ink – that has certainly proven to be the case.

King Body Art – born Matthew Whelen – claims he was treated differently when he was working at a call centre.

The 42-year-old claimed he was hidden from management during an ‘office reshuffle’ because of his appearance.

King of Ink Land claims he was hidden from managers while working at a call centre
(Image: tiktok.com/@tattooedtory)

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.

“It also depends on what industry is and their dress code. I think a dress code should just be that – clothing.

Britain’s most tattooed man claims he is often typecast in prison roles because of his appearance
(Image: instagram.com/kingofinkland79)

“This appearance, this extreme alternative look can restrict people and has restricted me in the past, even when I’ve been in employment.

“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.”

The 42-year-old from Birmingham has seen positive and negative sides of employment with his extreme look
(Image: kingofinkland79/Instagram)

But that life seems far behind him as he has landed some success in acting roles, including BBC’s Doctors.

However, even on-screen his options are limited as the Birmingham-based tattoo addict claims he is often typecast in prisoner roles because of his look.

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.

King is planning on getting more ink in January
(Image: kingofinkland79/Instagram)

To get more lifestyle stories from Daily Star delivered straight to your inbox sign up to one of our free newsletters here.

“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.”

Despite the stigma, King insists he wouldn’t have it any other way as he enjoys his life as a “living work of art.”

He is now planning on adding more ink in January 2023 and regularly posts updates on TikTok, Twitter and Instagram.