A man who splashed a whopping £30k on a tattoo transformation after he was released from prison has shared what he looked like before his dramatic inking - and he looks completely different. Ian Griggs spent 300 hours under the needle to transform himself, and now his whole body is covered in fresh ink, as the Daily Star reports.
Now, he's landed a new job as an actor thanks to his unique style, appearing in movies including Bonded by Blood and Legacy. He treated himself to the tattoos after he was released from prison following a 12-year stretch for possession of drugs, intent to supply, and committing acts of violence.
What do you think about Ian's new tattoos? Let us know in the comments...
While in jail he missed his prime teen years, and most of his 20s, including the birth of his son Tyler who is now 17.
Ian recounts the lowest point in his life when his first love, Leanne, died in a car crash in 2008 while he was in jail.
Getting tattoos was his way of starting afresh and, even through he got his first tattoo at the age of 18, his love for hardcore ink started seven years ago, in 2015, when he was released from prison.
For four years he spent two hours every week getting himself tattooed, and only stopped when there was no space left on his body for any more.
It was then he tried his chance at a photoshoot, which led to another, and in came a number of projects for him.
Ian said: "I had a very hard life growing up, and was in and out of jail in my teens and 20s.
"My son was born when I was in jail, and he visited me there for many more years, which was no way for him to grow up when he needed me the most.
"I had been with Leanne for three years when she died in a car crash in 2008.
"I was in jail at that time, and it was the worst day for me, but I decided to use the pain to turn my life around."
He now has a three-year-old daughter, and Ian said he has learnt from his past mistakes.
"I am definitely not going back to that life again," he added.
Ian says he finds tattoos very addictive, and has developed a deep love for them.
"Once I got one tattoo, I wanted more and have never since looked back," he added.
"I feel so good with tattoos. People look at me and I love it. My favourite tattoo is the tiger that I have on my head."
You can follow Ian's journey on Instagram.
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