University of Reading student loses drunken bet and gets large tattoo of EastEnders’ Ian Beale on thigh

She says: 'If Ian Beale can come out of his homeless stage and have three successful businesses, I know I can get through anything'

(Amber-May Ellis via The Tab)

What would you do on a drunken night out if your mates bet you wouldn’t dare get a massive tattoo of Ian Beale on your thigh and you ended up losing that bet? Well, you would follow through with it, of course.

Student Amber-May Ellis, 21, did just that and ended up with a rather large work of art on her thigh depicting the EastEnders character - played by actor Adam Woodyatt - complete with a with ruffled beard, beanie hat, and scratches on his face.

Luckily for the third-year theatre arts, education and deaf studies student at the University of Reading, though, it seems the decision was definitely the right one for her - as she claims to be among Ian Beale’s biggest fans.


 The large tattoo cost £150, but the student says she has no regrets 
 (Amber-May Ellis via The Tab)

Speaking with online student news site The Tab, Ellis described how she’s a “serious” fan - particularly from the character’s challenging stage in the popular BBC soap. She said: “If Ian Beale can come out of his homeless stage and have three successful businesses, I know I can get through anything.”

Ellis also has several other tattoos including the word “banter” on her arms - written in windings - one on the middle of her chest, and the famous Harry Potter quote “I solemnly swear that I am up to no good” depicted down her leg.

At a cost of £150 for the Beale image, Ellis already has big plans in place for her other thigh: a tattoo of criminal barrister Judge Robert Rinder after she visited the ITV reality court show. Why not? And the bet she lost which led to the tattoo? She can’t remember.

On the whole, however, the student is aiming to be a teacher for disabled children - and has acknowledged how she’s aware her many tattoos may not help her won't help her get a job easily, reported the Mirror. She concluded: “My mum said I should calm down with the tattoos now - although I don’t think my teaching ability is affected by how many tattoos I have.”