Former accountant Gerald McLaughlan could be the most tattooed man in Britain.
The 57-year-old has spent close to £10,000 having his entire body covered in the multi-coloured design.
His zeal for body art began nearly 30 years ago and now almost his entire body is covered in needlework.
The only parts of his skin not tattooed are the palms of his hands, the soles of his feet and part of an ankle.
His offbeat passion has seen him spend close to 100 hours in the tattooist’s chair during some 50 sessions.
Gerald, from Perth, got his first tattoo at 26 but his former accountancy job meant he had to make sure they weren’t visible. However, 15 years ago he started working for the family haulage firm, allowing him to indulge his passion more fully.
Gerald said: “When I worked as an accountant I had nothing below my elbows or above my chest. I had to make sure no one could be offended.
“Nowadays I’m just a voice on the end of the phone so no one sees them. My family think I’m stupid but I carry on.”
Gerald said his tattoos are inspired by Japanese and Chinese art. He only started having his face tattooed three years ago. His most recent tattoos were inked onto his ears last Sunday by artist Trevor Brister, who has done most of Gerald’s work.
Gerald, who lives alone, said he isn’t aware of people staring at him in the street and has only had to deal with the occasional negative comment.
Up until now his closest rival for the title of Britain’s most tattooed man has been Matthew Wheelan, 34, from Birmingham, who has even had an eyeball inked. However, Gerald could well have now pipped him to the title.
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