David Dimbleby gets scorpion tattoo
Published on 12 November 2013 01:30 PM
TV broadcaster David Dimbleby has revealed that he recently got his first tattoo while filming a new series for the BBC.
The 75-year-old Question Time presenter opted for a 'modest' image of a scorpion on his right shoulder, inspired by his Scorpio star sign.
'You are only old once,' he told the Radio Times.
'I have always wanted a tattoo. I thought I might as well have it done now. It's a dream come true for me.'
Dimbleby, who has been presenting the BBC's general election coverage since 1979, got the tattoo during the production of the maritime series Britain And The Sea, the first episode of which is set to be aired on 17 November at 9pm.
He was offered the chance to have his own piece of body art while looking at how tattoos were introduced to the UK as a result of Captain Cook's South Seas adventures, although he turned down the offer, thinking he was too old, and had a mark put on his body in black pencil instead.
But the commentator and presenter revealed that he soon had a dramatic change of heart.
'I thought of Winston Churchill'
'When I saw it in a preview of the film I thought 'That's a bit feeble.' I thought it was wimpish having it just drawn on and I needed to man up,' he said.
So, followed by cameramen, he visited the Vagabond tattoo studio in east London to get his scorpion tattoo done for real.
'It took about 30 minutes - an hour in all - and I thought of Winston Churchill having his done while mine was being done,' he continued.
'It wasn't painful at all, it just zings a bit. It's modest. It can't be seen unless I choose to show it to someone. I'm rather fond of it actually, this little scorpion sitting on my shoulder ready to attack my enemies.'
Viewers will be able to watch Dimbleby get his tattoo during the first episode of the series.
He added that he may even be able to persuade his wife Belinda to get a tattoo, adding: 'I think she's mildly amused. I believe she wanted a tattoo once, but has never got around to it.'
Copyright Press Association 2013