A woman known as ‘Britain’s most tattooed mum' says she isn’t going abroad on holiday this year and feels “forced” to remain in the UK due to “judgemental” fellow travellers. Melissa Sloan also fears being flagged at the airport and worries that people will be “scared” to sit next to her on flights.The 47-year-old mum is covered head-to-toe in colourful tattoos.
While others plan their Easter or summer travels, Melissa will be staying in the UK out of necessity. “I feel as though a holiday abroad is out of the question for me,” said the mum, from Kidderminster.
“I’ll draw a lot of attention just walking through the airport and I’m worried about being flagged by staff. Judgemental tourists will stare at me constantly and I just don’t want to deal with it.Even when getting on the plane – I know people will be too scared to be in the seat next to me.
“It’s awful as I’d love to take my kids abroad this summer but I just don’t feel comfortable travelling.”
The mum has also suffered a previous bad experience abroad after her passport and money was once stolen on a holiday. Melissa said: “I know my kids would love a beach holiday to some exotic location and it kills me that I can’t do that.I wish I could travel but it’s hard enough to go to the supermarket or the pub these days.
“I could use make-up to cover up my tattoos like I do sometimes now, but it would never last through a long-haul flight.What if I fall asleep and the person sitting next to me spots my tattoos peeking through?They would probably call the flight attendant and the embarrassment would be too much to bear.”
Melissa’s dream destination is New York, either for a holiday or to live – though last year she didn’t go away at all, remaining in the UK.Unfortunately, feeling unable to take holidays abroad is just one of several issues due to Melissa’s ink.
With over 800 tattoos, she has been banned from her local boozer and has her partner do the food shop whenever possible.She previously said: “I can’t just pop into my local supermarket and shop.
“People will stare and I feel like I scare the supermarket workers, too – they have given me terrified looks as I’ve walked by in the past.Going to the pub is way out of the question, too.
‘“I attempted to have a tipple recently but had to leave before it turned to violence.I don’t understand why people just can’t accept me for who I am.My tattoos don’t make me any less human than everyone else.I should be able to pop to Tesco with my kids or jet off somewhere but sadly, it’s just not possible.”
