After much media speculation, Guinness World Records can officially confirm that Australian Michael Baxter holds the record for the Most tattoos of characters from a single animated series.

The 52-year-old grandfather's entire back is covered in 203 different tattoos from the long-running Fox TV series The Simpsons.

Pre-colouring, Michael's tattoo is starting to take shape

In one year Baxter spent 130 hours (the equivalent of five and a half days) in the chair of tattoo artist Jade Baxter Smith, and his body art has set him back a staggering total of AU$12,000 (£5570).

Work in progress

While Michael says that his favourite character from the show's yellow-skinned population is Homer Simpson, his tattoos include all of Springfield's major characters, along with a host of lesser supporting characters and some well-known locations including Moe’s Tavern.

To achieve the record, all of Michael's tattoos had to show the characters as they appear in the animated series, and Baxter had to provide details of the episode(s) in which each character appeared (in the form of which they have been tattooed).

The final display in all its Springfield glory

Speaking of his record-breaking ink, the Simpsons fanatic said: “I wanted to get something which was unique, which nobody else had or would even think of getting...I'm a huge fan of the show. I love the tattoo, and I know lots of other people, including my grandchildren, do too.”

Baxter is potentially an even bigger Simpsons enthusiast than New Zealand's Lee Weir, who holds the record for the Most tattoos of the same cartoon character tattooed on the body for the 41 tattoos of Homer on his left arm.

Photography via Jade Baxter Smith/Twisted By Design Tattoo