ITV's This Morning experienced significant viewer backlash on Thursday when a heavily tattooed guest made an appearance that prompted numerous complaints about his extreme body modifications.
The individual, who goes by King Of Ink Land King Body Art The Extreme Ink-ite and was previously known as Matthew Whelan, shocked audiences with his complete coverage of tattoos extending across his entire body, including his eyes.
The 45-year-old's appearance on the programme hosted by Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley triggered an immediate response from viewers who took to social media platforms to express their revulsion.
Multiple audience members reported feeling compelled to turn off their televisions, with the guest's inked eyeballs proving particularly disturbing to those watching the morning show.
The This Morning guest goes by King Of Ink Land King Body Art The Extreme Ink-ite
|ITV
During the interview, the guest revealed that the procedure to tattoo his eyeballs was "dangerous" though he insisted it was painless.
He explained to the presenters that the process required absolute stillness, stating: "You have to be a stone gargoyle and not move or twitch."
Ms Deeley noted during the introduction that the guest had undergone more than 1,600 hours of tattoo sessions throughout his transformation.
The man, who holds a world record for having 36 tattoo artists work on him simultaneously, reflected on how his body modification journey had evolved beyond his original intentions.
This Morning fans flooded social media with complaints
|ITV
"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 became 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 suggested psychological issues, with someone 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."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Ben Shepard and Cat Deeley welcomed the guest
|ITV
Several viewers questioned the programme's decision to feature him, with one commenting: "Why waste air time on someone who ruined his face well buzz off like on BGT this is too much makes me sick."
"That is disgusting. Shouldn't be on TV obviously got a problem which you are encouraging," another viewer stated.
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 receiving his first tattoo at 16, two years before the legal age, though he acknowledged: "Probably not to the extent that I'm covered."
Despite facing regular harassment on public transport, with people taking unauthorised 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 whilst 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.