HAVING a big beard and an arm full of tattoos is no longer a sign that you would be handy in a fight.

The Institute of Studies found that the beard-tattoo combination used to convince others you were a hard-as-nails biker but now indicates that you probably read GQ and watch The Durrells.

Professor Henry Brubaker said: “These days when I see someone with a big beard and lots of tattoos I just think, ‘there goes a man who needs to be told how to feel accepted’.

“Which I don’t think was ever really a big deal for the Hell’s Angels. They probably frown upon that kind of stuff to be honest.”

Bearded, tattooed man Tom Booker added, “I like the fact that people must look at me and think that guy looks like he’s bitten someone’s ear off behind a dodgy boozer in Hull.

“The reality is, if you look closely at my tattoos they’re mostly REM lyrics and a bunch of meaningless swirly things.”