TWO friends who swapped North Wales for sunnier climes have starred in a TV programme that charts the lives of British expats.

‘Tattoo kings’ Mark Jones, of Rhyl, and Blane Dickinson, of Penmaenmawr, have been featuring in the Channel 5 Benidorm-based entertainment show, Bargain-Loving Brits in the Sun.

The business partners own Inkaholics, one of the main tattoo parlous in the Spanish resort. Last Thursday’s episode followed Mark and Blane as they went about their daily business.

They were shown carrying out their craft, ‘inking’ loyal customers as well as those that walk in “on impulse”.

Speaking to the Journal, Mark, 47, who is married to Gail, 51, and has four children – Emma, Faye, Jamie and Chad – said: “Last Thursday’s programme was a follow-on from our first year.

“We got involved when Blane messaged the producer of the programme – that was 2016, the first year I was here.

“My wife Gail stayed in the UK for the first year and moved out here in 2017.

“We work six days a week. We open about 10am and close as late as midnight or later, depending on the time of year.

“We’ve been holidaying in Benidorm from when my kids were young, so about 20 years. We decided to take the plunge.

“My kids are all in Rhyl. My youngest son, Chad, now owns and runs my old tattoo studio, Rising Dragon; my eldest son is in the army and my daughters both live in Rhyl.

“I still pop back to the town about once a year. I love Rhyl and it will always be my home, but don’t think I’ll ever return full-time.”

Mark and Blane opened Inkaholics in 2016 after a six-month hold-up due to paperwork and red tape.

“We have now moved into a bigger studio on the same street, four doors away from our old place, in February this year – so we are the only studio on the street now,” Mark added.

“The best part here is the weather, although I spend more time indoors than outside with work so my tan isn’t that good!

“Blane and I met through Facebook, but have been close friends for just over three years. We have a good laugh working together.”

Blane, 44, was able to watch the episoce on TV in Spain with fiancée Madeline, 31, and children Ruby, 11, and Blane jnr, six.

He said: “They loved seeing themselves on TV. It is always a bit weird seeing yourself on TV. We’ve become a little more use to it as time has passed.

“Having a camera crew with us has been great fun. I have been working over here for two summer seasons at a different tattoo studio and now have been in business with Mark for two years.

“I have lived here permanently for two years. Both of our children are fluent Spanish speakers and as parents, we couldn’t be more proud when we hear them chatting with all their school pals like they were born here.

“I’ve known Mark a good few years now through the wonderful world of Facebook and through the tattoo community in North Wales.

“We work really well together and in honesty, we just wish we had done it years earlier.”

l Catch up on the programme (series three, episode six) online at www.my5.tv/bargain-loving-brits-in-the-sun