The worst (and best) celebrity tattoos
You probably wouldn’t say it to his face, but former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson has the worst celebrity tattoo.
The striking tribal design around Tyson’s eye came top of a list of most off-putting body art in a survey of 2,000 adults, along with the tattoos of Pamela Anderson, Chris Brown and Justin Bieber.
X-Factor star Cheryl Fernandez-Versini was voted second in the list for her rose-covered rear, while the scatty chest-work of One Direction’s Harry Styles also featured.
Other celebs in the list included reality TV diva Tulisa, for the phrase ‘Lucky You’ tattooed on her bikini line; and American actor Jamie Foxx for the tribal design on the back of his scalp.
Dr Tapan Patel, spokesperson for new laser tattoo removal treatment PicoWay, which commissioned the study, said, ‘’Once seen as an alternative phenomena, there’s no doubt that tattoos are getting increasingly common.
‘’But as this list of tattooed celebrities shows, one person’s great idea can be seen as a disaster to someone else.
‘’Opinions over tattoos are very subjective, and it’s important to recognise this before diving under the needle.
‘’Being spontaneous is great, but we’ve found the thrill of a new tattoo tends to disappear over time.
I have queues of patients at my clinic wanting their inkings removed either due to errors, because they no longer like them, they feel too old for a tattoo or simply because they are bored of it.’’
The research revealed Mike Tyson’s decision to tattoo his face to be the worst choice imaginable according to Brits.
In fact, the face was shown to be the least desirable place to be inked, with almost six in ten who said such a visible tattoo is drastically off-putting.
Cheryl Fernandez-Versini’s large-scale tattoo of roses covering her back and buttocks came second, while Chris Brown’s eyebrow-raising depiction of a beaten woman made up the top three.
Misspellings were shown to be a major body-art faux pas, with Hayden Panettiere’s wrongly spelled Latin phrase meaning ‘to live without regrets’ coming fifth.
And Jessie J’s tattooed phrase ‘Don’t loose who you are in the blur of the stars’, also with a cringe-worthy error, came sixth.
A baffled 12 per cent gave a ‘thumbs down’ to Cara Delevingne’s tattoo of the word ‘Bacon’ written on the sole of her foot.
Tattoos in the name of love were seen as a no-go, as Khloe Kardashian, Kerry Katona and Brad Pitt appeared in the list – all of whom got inked in honour of a partner.
But it’s not just celebrities who make mistakes going under the needle – of the adults who had tattoos, 41 per cent confessed they regret getting them done.
Around one in seven hate their ink because it reminds them of an ex-partner, while 31 per cent said their once fashionable design has become tacky and dated.
In fact, partner’s names were cited as the most regrettable choice of tattoo, followed by those done as part of a joke or dare, large scale features, or tributes to bands or celebrities.
In contrast, David Beckham’s biblical scenes covering his arms and chest was revealed as the most impressive tattoo design, said the poll.
Tom Daley’s tattoo of Olympic rings, Amy Winehouse’s 50s pin-up girls and Johnny Depp’s joint tribute to Jack Sparrow and his son also gained points.
Dr Tapan Patel of PHI Clinic says, ‘’Some are fortunate enough to always like their tattoos, but it’s a possibility you’ll regret yours if it’s a spur of the moment decision.
‘’Think long and hard about the longevity of the design, who you’re having it for and why – and you’ll be more likely to appreciate your tattoo in the years to come and less likely to be visiting our clinic for tattoo removal.’’
The Top 10 Worst Celebrity Tattoos
1. Mike Tyson – Tribal facial design
2. Cheryl Fernandez-Versini – Roses on back and buttocks
3. Chris Brown – Controversial female face with cut lip and black eye
4. Tulisa – ‘Lucky You’ on bikini line
5. Hayden Panettiere – misspelled Latin phrase meaning ‘to live without regrets’
6. Jessie J – misspelled ‘Don’t loose who you are in the blur of the stars’
7. Pamela Anderson – Barbed wire on bicep
8. Harry Styles – various chest tattoos
9. Kerry Katona – Cover up of ex’s name on back
10. Justin Bieber – sleeve featuring eye, ‘Believe’, tiger, knight and more
…And The Best
1. David Beckham – biblical sleeve tattoos
2. Tom Daley – five Olympic rings on arm
3. Robbie Williams – Maori bicep design
4. Amy Winehouse – fifties pin-up girls on arms
5. Johnny Depp – tattoo in honour of Jack Sparrow and son, Jack
6. Rihanna – Stars on nape of neck
7. Victoria Beckham – Hebrew phrase on spine, ‘I am my love’s and my love is mine, who browses among the lilies.’
8. Cara Delevingne – Lion on finger
9. Paloma Faith – Birds on back
10. Lady Gaga – Trumpet on forearm
