Tattooing on BBC TV - 1930

Tattooing first appeared on the BBC in the 1930s, marking an important moment for the art form on British television. The very first tattoo artist to be featured on BBC TV was George Burchett, a well-known tattooer from Brighton. He made his debut on the 27th of January, 1938, making history as one of the first tattoo artists to appear on television.

Radio broadcasting had already begun as a national service in Great Britain on the 14th of November, 1922, and the BBC television service followed soon after, launching on the 2nd of November, 1936. At that time, television was still in its experimental stages, and very few households in Britain actually owned a TV set.

Because of this, Burchett wasn't just the first tattoo artist on TV—he was also one of the very first people to be seen on the BBC, at a time when television was a brand-new and exciting technology. His appearance was part of the early days of TV when it was still finding its place in British homes.

There is a short film clip created by the Pathe News group in 1936, which shows George Burchett tattooing. The film, titled ‘Painting the Lily,’ is believed to be the same footage shown on television in 1938. This clip still exists today and can be obtained for a fee through the Pathe News website, offering a rare glimpse into this groundbreaking moment in tattoo and television history.

Copyright... Paul Sayce. Posted on 15th April 2009.