A devoted fan of the classic British sitcom Only Fools and Horses has spent £5,000 and more than 40 hours under the needle to get a full back tattoo featuring the faces of Del Boy, Rodney, and Uncle Albert.
Father-of-three's Tribute to a Timeless Comedy
Justin Scudder, a 46-year-old father of three from Sittingbourne, Kent, underwent 10 tattoo sessions over the course of a year to complete the intricate artwork. The cleaning company owner already has tattoos of The Krays and Jack the Ripper on his legs and has invested 'tens of thousands' across 40 to 50 tattoos in total.
Justin explained that the inspiration for his latest piece came while watching an episode of the beloved sitcom. 'I was born in the late '70s and Only Fools was quite prominent throughout the '80s. My mum and dad used to have it on and it felt like a fitting tribute. You've probably seen it a million times but they're still funny. They're timeless,' he said.
The Tattoo Process
Justin was already considering a back tattoo when he had a lightbulb moment while watching an episode in late 2024. He told his tattoo artist, Molly Cleland of Clockwork Ink in Faversham, who initially suggested a Peaky Blinders design. However, Justin decided on Only Fools and Horses instead. 'My tattoo artist said 'I've never done Only Fools but I'd love to do it',' Justin recalled.
The sessions ranged from four to nine hours each, with the nine-hour appointments described as 'a bit savage.' Justin said, 'You've got to be in the right frame of mind for it. It's painful. You know it's going to be sore but you carry on because you want the end product.' The tattoo was completed on April 1.
Reaction from Family and Strangers
Justin's wife Leanne, 40, who co-owns the cleaning business with him, is 'on board' with the tattoo. 'She thinks the artwork's great on it, so she's on board,' Justin said. His father is less enthusiastic, while his late mother was not a fan of tattoos. Friends have shown interest, and some have even started following his tattoo artist.
Strangers frequently stop Justin to admire his body art. 'When you're away on holiday, you turn into a tourist attraction. I had one guy in Egypt who wasn't even English and he asked me to turn round so he could take a photo. An Egyptian guy was asking if it was my grandparents. I was trying to explain that it's a TV show but he couldn't really understand why you would have that on your back,' Justin laughed.
Future Plans
Justin's 'ultimate goal' is to secure a signature from David Jason, who played Del Boy, on the tattoo. He has already reached out to the actor's representatives in hopes of making this dream a reality.
