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.
READ MORE: Inside the life of Britain’s most tattooed man – horror stabbing to sex life struggles
The 42-year-old claimed he was hidden from management during an ‘office reshuffle’ because of his appearance.
(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.
(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.”
(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.
(Image: kingofinkland79/Instagram)
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“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.
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