Viewers were left stunned and many switched off their TVs when a heavily tattooed guest appeared on ITV’s This Morning. The guest, known as King Of Ink Land King Body Art The Extreme Ink-ite (formerly Matthew Whelan), showcased extensive body modifications, including tattooed eyeballs, which sparked a significant backlash. But, is this a matter of personal expression or a step too far for daytime television?
The 45-year-old’s appearance, during the show hosted by Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley, immediately triggered strong reactions on social media. Many viewers expressed their discomfort, with the tattooed eyes being a particularly unsettling aspect for some.
During the interview, the guest revealed that the procedure to tattoo his eyeballs was ‘dangerous,’ although he insisted it was painless. He explained the process required complete stillness, stating, ‘You have to be a stone gargoyle and not move or twitch.’ Cat Deeley noted that the guest had spent over 1,600 hours in tattoo sessions. The man, who holds a world record for having 36 tattoo artists work on him simultaneously, shared that his body modification journey had evolved beyond his initial intentions.
This Morning fans quickly took to social media to voice their disapproval.
‘I think the journey kind of took over from what I wanted. I never set out on this process,’ he told the hosts. Social media platforms were flooded with harsh criticism from viewers who found the guest’s appearance deeply unsettling. ‘This tattooed bloke needs serious help! To have that many tattoos is just ridiculous and unnecessary!’ one viewer posted online. Others speculated about psychological issues, with one person writing: ‘I think that bloke is hurting inside to do that to himself surely no one would have all that ink on them to cover them selves up. To do that with your eyes and the jewellery.’
And this is the part most people miss… Several viewers questioned the program’s decision to feature him. One commented, ‘Why waste air time on someone who ruined his face well buzz off like on BGT this is too much makes me sick.’ Another stated, ‘That is disgusting. Shouldn’t be on TV obviously got a problem which you are encouraging.’
The extensively tattooed man shared that his fascination with body art began during childhood, revealing: ‘I knew in my head, at the age of nine, that I wanted artwork on my body.’ He admitted to getting his first tattoo at 16, two years before the legal age, acknowledging, ‘Probably not to the extent that I’m covered.’
Despite facing regular harassment on public transport, with people taking unauthorized photographs, he maintains a philosophical attitude towards criticism. ‘Sometimes you actually hear the shutter go off on a phone, or see the flash go off,’ he explained, adding that while some take ‘snidey photos,’ he welcomes polite requests for selfies.
He dismissed online negativity, stating: ‘There are some negative comments about me on the internet and stuff, but that doesn’t bother me, I’ve got a thick skin.’ ‘I’ve done this for me, it’s like my personal art collection,’ he concluded.
But here’s where it gets controversial… What are your thoughts on the matter? Do you believe the guest’s appearance was inappropriate for television, or do you see it as a form of artistic expression? Share your opinions in the comments below!