Viewers of ITV's daytime staple, This Morning, were left reeling and reaching for the remote after a segment featuring the man officially recognised as Britain's most tattooed person.
The Extreme Ink-ite's Appearance
The guest, Matthew Whelan, who has legally changed his name to King Of Ink Land King Body Art The Extreme Ink-ite, appeared on the show on 20th November 2025. With an astonishing 90% of his body covered in tattoos, including his eyeballs, his appearance immediately captivated and unsettled the audience.
During the interview, Whelan delved into the particularly perilous process of having his eyeballs tattooed. He revealed that the procedure involved using syringes to inject ink directly into his eyeballs. Remarkably, he stated that while the process itself "didn't hurt", he was acutely aware that it was extremely "dangerous".
A Terrifyingly Precise Procedure
Whelan explained the immense concentration required during the eyeball tattooing. "You have to be a stone gargoyle and not move or twitch," he told the hosts. He had to remain perfectly awake and still throughout, as even the slightest involuntary movement could have resulted in permanent blindness.
His extensive body modifications have come at a significant financial cost. Whelan has spent over £40,000 on his tattoo collection to date.
Viewer Reaction and Social Media Backlash
The reaction from the show's fans was swift and largely horrified, with many taking to social media to voice their discomfort.
One viewer bluntly stated, "That man looks scary." Another echoed the sentiments of many, writing that they were "struggling to watch this." A third commenter drew a parallel to the gruelling challenges on I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!, noting, "Sounds like a Bushtucker Trial…"
Even fellow tattoo enthusiasts expressed unease. One social media user commented, "I love my tattoos but this guy on This Morning even has his eyeballs tattooed now for the love of the wee man that’s taking it too far he looks weird."
Beyond the shock, several viewers expressed deep concern for Whelan's mental wellbeing. One person speculated, "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." Another questioned the ethics of the tattoo artists involved, suggesting, "Frankly the tattooists should say no, it's not right."
In a previous interview with the Mirror, Whelan acknowledged the public's reaction to his appearance. He described instances where people would notice an empty seat next to him on public transport, only to choose to stand after seeing his extensive modifications. He also mentioned frequently catching people taking photos of him without permission, which often leads to confrontations.
