A dad known as "Northern Ireland's most tattooed man" has spent £38,000 covering his body in ink and has now completed yet another piece – adding the controversial art to his back.

Earlier this month, Chris Dalzell, 36, from Bangor, Northern Ireland, splashed out £600 to get gangsters Ronnie and Reggie Kray, who terrorised east London during the 1950s-60s, portrayed on his body.

The infamous Kray twins committed numerous crimes during their lifetimes, including murder, armed robbery, arson, among other offences.

Chris, a dad-of-two, has spent the past five years inking 95% of his body to help cope with his eldest daughter's health problems.

Jessica, now six, has been in and out of hospital since birth and suffers from Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a rare condition that affects connective tissues.

Chris, a chef, has spent 93 hours tattooing his head alone and wanted to get the gangster's portraits beside an inking of Jessica and nine-week-old daughter Hailie – who is also being tested in hospital for a genetic disorder – as symbolic spiritual protection.

"They are known for their protection and that's what I want for my little girl", Chris told NeedToKnow.online.

"It was nippy enough but nothing compared to what I have went through getting my face and eye lids tattooed.

"I'm very happy with how I look now.

"Whenever I get a tattoo I feel a sense of relief – like I had just gone through some pain just like Jessica had done with medical treatment.

"But as soon as I get one done, I'm in again booking my next one.

"I find the healing of the tattoo sometimes to be worse than the actual tattoo and I would sit beside Jessica thinking I'm on your level we are both going through this pain together

"It pains me every time I get that phone call to say one of them is getting admitted into hospital.

"My heart drops and I become so emotional.

"I would rather all the pain on me than for them to go another day in hospital.

"All I want to do is take their pain away and I can't.

"I'm their father I'm meant to protect them.

Chris – who previously appeared on Jeremy Kyle to reveal how he is trolled because of the way he looks – says he isn't phased by the attention he receives.

He said: "I get a hell of a lot of attention when I'm out but it does not bother me at all, in fact I expect it.

"You don't see too many people like me around.

"I'm so much more comfortable in Bangor as pretty much everyone knows me and my story behind the tattoos.

"It's when I go out of my city that I get a lot more attention, people approaching me asking for pictures or even just to chat.

"And it's really nice when they say they can't believe how of a nice person I am."

ENDS