Tattoo Fixers is a British reality television series based in Hackney in London, broadcast on E4, from 23 June 2015 to 22 May 2019. The series follows some talented tattoo artists helping members of the public cover up some of the rudest and crudest tattoos by transforming them from extreme inking disasters into walking works of art.

Tattoo Fixers
GenreReality television
Starring
  • Jay Hutton
  • Lou Hopper
  • Scratch Porter
  • Paisley Billings
  • Alice Perrin
  • Glen Carlos
  • Pash Canby
  • Uzzi Canby
Opening themeChris Lewis
Country of originUnited Kingdom
No. of seasons6
No. of episodes85 (+3 Specials)
Production
Executive producerTim Harcourt
ProducerMatthew J. Smith
EditorsDom Bird
Simone Haywood
Running time60 minutes
Production companyStudio Lambert
Original release
NetworkE4
Release23 June 2015 (2015-06-23) –
22 May 2019 (2019-05-22)
Related
Tattoo Nightmares
Body Fixers

Cast

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Name Series
1 2 3 4 5
Cast members
Jay Hutton
Sketch Porter
Lou Hopper
Paisley Billings
Alice Perrin
Glen Carloss
Pash Canby
Uzzi Canby

Episodes

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SeriesEpisodesOriginally airedSeries average
(millions)
First airedLast aired
1923 June 201518 August 20150.61
21522 December 201529 March 20160.99
316 (+2 Specials)7 December 201628 March 2017TBA
417 (+1 Special)7 November 201727 March 2018TBA
51517 September 20185 February 2019TBA
6927 March 201922 May 2019TBA

Production

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On 12 February 2015, Digital Spy announced that television channel, E4, would be commissioning a nine-part documentary series; The Tattoo Fixers.[1] However, it was later shortened to Tattoo Fixers. The series follows the same format as the American show Tattoo Nightmares.

The original cast of Tattoo Fixers included Jay Hutton, Sketch Porter, Lou Hopper and Paisley Billings.

For the second series, Hopper was replaced by Alice Perrin. All other cast members from series one returned.

In 2016 it was revealed that all cast members from the second series would return for the third series. These include Jay Hutton, Sketch Porter, Alice Perrin and Paisley Billings.

On 12 July 2017, the show announced that a new tattoo fixer would be joining the cast for the fourth series, Glen Carloss. All other cast members from series 3 returned. This also marked the first series to have four tattooists present.[2]

In 2018 it was confirmed that Hutton would not be returning for the fifth series. It was later confirmed that the fourth series tattooist Glen Carloss would not return for another series. It was later revealed that Hutton and Carloss' replacements would be Pash and Uzzi Canby, two brothers from Devon.[3]

Tattoo Fixers was not renewed for a sixth season and although not confirmed no further series have aired since February 2019.

International broadcasts

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In Australia, the series premiered on GO! on 2 September 2015.[4]

Spin-offs

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In 2016, Channel 4 announced the commission of two Tattoo Fixers spin-offs. Tattoo Fixers on Holiday will be similar to the parent series but with a focus on tattoos picked up on holidays abroad, whilst Body Fixers will look at non-tattoo cosmetic alterations such as body piercing, hair dye and botox.[5][6] Casting calls for Body Fixers began to appear after episodes of Tattoo Fixers from February 2016 and the series began on 13 September 2016.[7]

Airing from April 2017, Tattoo Artist of the Year will be judged by Jay Hutton and Rose Hardy.[8]

Reception

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Critical reception

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Professional tattoo artists have been heavily critical of Tattoo Fixers, accusing the show of misrepresenting the industry.[9]

Awards and nominations

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Award Year Result Ref
National Television Award for "Factual Entertainment" 2017 Nominated [10]

References

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  1. ^ Wightman, Catriona (12 February 2015). "E4 to fix terrible tattoos in new eight-part documentary". Digital Spy. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
  2. ^ Mapstone, Lucy (12 July 2017). "New Tattoo Fixers star describes his 'creepy' first cover-up of the series". Irish Independent. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  3. ^ Mitchell, Bea (14 March 2018). "Tattoo Fixers star Jay Hutton reveals the real reason he quit E4 series". Digital Spy. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  4. ^ Knox, David (1 September 2015). "Airdate: Storage Hunters, Ghost Town Gold, South Beach Tow, Troy, Tattoo Fixers". TV Tonight. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  5. ^ "E4 takes smash hit Tattoo Fixers on Holiday and extends to body fixing". 4 Press. Channel 4. 3 February 2016. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
  6. ^ Fletcher, Harry (3 February 2016). "Tattoo Fixers gets a holiday spinoff AND a Body Fixers series". Digital Spy. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
  7. ^ Weston, Alan (12 February 2016). "Makers of Tattoo Fixers are in Liverpool to cast for new body transformation show". Echo. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
  8. ^ "E4 Commissions Tattoo Artist of the Year Competition". Channel 4. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  9. ^ Brennan, Ailis (29 March 2016). "Why do tattoo artists hate E4's Tattoo Fixers?". British GQ. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
  10. ^ Harp, Justin (3 January 2017). "National Television Awards reveals its 2017 nominees – check out the full rundown and vote now". Digital Spy. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
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