It’s the show that turned a penis into Biggie Smalls and introduced us to the nipple sombrero. The addictive Tattoo Fixers returned to our tellies last night, with the team decamping to Malia to be closer to the source of many a shit tat – a boozy holiday.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvfQSfvIsU8
However, the show has this year been the target of widespread criticism from the tattooing community. In March, the hashtag #FuckTattooFixers started doing the rounds as a response to what tattoo artist Anthony Flemming called the “absolute abysmal representation of the UK tattoo scene” on the E4 programme. The complainants have claimed the show caused severe damage to a customer’s skin, that they have not followed good working practices, and that one of the artists, Sketch, routinely plagiarises designs.
But the biggest complaint? The fact that Jay, Sketch and Alice do big, dark, fuck-off tats to cover up tiny crap ones.
So, ranked in order of unnecessary extra size, here are 10 Tattoo Fixers cover-ups that didn’t need to be so bloody big.
1. Grandpa Mick’s Monkey
Grandpa Mick had a creative use for his belly button.
Presenting “the best tattoo in Maidstone”. Grandpa Mick: it’s time for the 18+ belly tattoo to go! #TattooFixers pic.twitter.com/ALN4Dfs6J1
— Tattoo Fixers Extreme (@E4TattooFixers) March 28, 2016
See no evil? It’s too late, mate.
Goodbye legs akimbo. Hello 3 wise monkeys. #TattooFixers
? ? ? pic.twitter.com/SpNHcfDZxC— Tattoo Fixers Extreme (@E4TattooFixers) March 28, 2016
2. Natalie’s Big Wolf
Natalie decided to remember the time her cat visited from beyond the grave with a small tattoo.
Natalie’s ghost cat needs to vanish. Hope @JayTAT2 can lift her spirits. #TattooFixers pic.twitter.com/LHvTmdoAaR
— Tattoo Fixers Extreme (@E4TattooFixers) March 14, 2016
Now, her whole forearm serves as a reminder for her regrets.
Nat is over the moon to get rid of Luna. #JaysJokes #TattooFixers @JayTAT2 pic.twitter.com/TjTsmq4Txo
— Tattoo Fixers Extreme (@E4TattooFixers) March 14, 2016
3. Dom’s Camel Hump
The bearer of this tattoo had the hump.
“Mum, I got a tattoo on holiday”
“Will I like it?”
“Erm…”#TattooFixers pic.twitter.com/KVn2nHAX3X— Tattoo Fixers Extreme (@E4TattooFixers) March 28, 2016
Hope they like random portraits.
Dom’s camel-amity tat has been replaced by this super hot @JayTAT2 creation. Wow. #TattooFixers pic.twitter.com/TFigtYT4p0
— Tattoo Fixers Extreme (@E4TattooFixers) March 28, 2016
4. The Beast Is Gone
The customer did this one himself. Can you tell?
This is no fairytale…self-tattooing is not a good idea peeps! #TattooFixers ⬆️⬇️ #TattooFixers pic.twitter.com/ApfLZ1Peb0
— Tattoo Fixers Extreme (@E4TattooFixers) March 7, 2016
A giant skull with stink lines soon sorted it out though.
‘The beast is gone!’- @JayTAT2 #TattooFixers pic.twitter.com/oUkl9TxFfU
— Tattoo Fixers Extreme (@E4TattooFixers) March 7, 2016
5. If I Could Fly Away
This #Lad went and “James-d” himself.
‘You’ve been #Magatatt’d’ more like! #Magatattoo #TatttooFixers #Lad pic.twitter.com/8iWAZp4RIS
— Tattoo Fixers Extreme (@E4TattooFixers) March 1, 2016
So Alice went and “Alice-d” all over it.
I think the ladies will be much more impressed with this. ‘You’ve been Alice’d’ @AlicePerrin13 #TattooFixers pic.twitter.com/gwwtSJ7XzI
— Tattoo Fixers Extreme (@E4TattooFixers) March 1, 2016
6. J.J’s Filthy Fubbing
J.J thought it would be great to honour Tracey Emin with her “filthy” tattoo.
"People think I’m filthy"
This is not the reaction J.J was hoping for with her Tracey Emin tattoo! #TattooFixers pic.twitter.com/S9icHvR2cb
— Tattoo Fixers Extreme (@E4TattooFixers) February 16, 2016
Now she blends in with your gran’s wallpaper.
No more fubbing. Here's JJ’s cover-up by @sketchreppinink. We think Tracey Emin would approve too. pic.twitter.com/OSWPvkLliF
— Tattoo Fixers Extreme (@E4TattooFixers) February 16, 2016
7. Sean’s Lucky Charms
Sean decided to piss all over his heritage with a well endowed Leprechaun.
Sean has had this cocky Irishman on his arm for 19 years. Time for it to go, to be sure #TattooFixers pic.twitter.com/sZcKR52IgR
— Tattoo Fixers Extreme (@E4TattooFixers) March 21, 2016
Now he can repel vampires in style.
It’s back to the Emerald Isle for the lengthy Leprechaun. Sean’s cross tribute by @JayTAT2 sham-rocks #TattooFixers pic.twitter.com/VSrwlagfgP
— Tattoo Fixers Extreme (@E4TattooFixers) March 21, 2016
8. Fraternity Tats
Just a couple of lads, drawing well hung dinosaurs on each others’ legs.
Wally drew a willy. Who needs enemies when you can’t trust your bezzie! #TattooFixers pic.twitter.com/pwGUB1iZxF
— Tattoo Fixers Extreme (@E4TattooFixers) March 28, 2016
Now they’re in the illuminati.
Tom’s T-Rex and Wally’s willy are fixed! These matching positive/negative mandala tats by @AlicePerrin13 are top. pic.twitter.com/FiHAcwBszb
— Tattoo Fixers Extreme (@E4TattooFixers) March 28, 2016
9. Jules’s Bloody Mess
It’s her ex’s hand print.
It’s a new take on the ex-tattoo for us. Her ex-girlfriend’s hand print. #TatttooFixers pic.twitter.com/1ZYhX1lsmI
— Tattoo Fixers Extreme (@E4TattooFixers) March 1, 2016
It’s… er… a squished moth on a skull?
Jules waves goodbye to her ex’s hand print. #TattooFixers pic.twitter.com/G524TqCiA4
— Tattoo Fixers Extreme (@E4TattooFixers) March 1, 2016
10. Jack’s Big Hoot
It’s the kind of joke that gets less funny the more you see it. But hey, at least it’s small.
Get it? Jack’s tattoo is a thinker. He’s sure to get some ribbing off his mates for this one. #TattooFixers pic.twitter.com/XoLm6jhW9h
— Tattoo Fixers Extreme (@E4TattooFixers) March 21, 2016
Or not.
Twit-twoo! That certainly wasn’t a hoot for Jack but at least he now has this owl on his side #TattooFixers pic.twitter.com/PVvdNFaTmm
— Tattoo Fixers Extreme (@E4TattooFixers) March 21, 2016