Channel 4's Shameless Inky-Bob by Deed Poll

By Tina Clough, 24 Nov 2009

49 year old Arian Schofield officially changed his name by Deed Poll yesterday to the first name 'Inky-Adrian' and opted out of a surname name altogether much to the surprise of The Legal Deed Poll Service who made the new moniker official.

The now aptly named Inky-Adrian said, "I played a part in 'Shameless' as a tattooist. The producers wanted someone with tattoos all over their head, face and neck and I fitted the bill. I went to the local tattooist across from my house one day and as it turned out some on from the cast had seen me on the train and tracked me down to tell me they wanted me to star in the show!

"On the day of shooting I had to be up at 7.30am and I was not only hung over but in agony after I had fallen up some stairs the day before and ripped my toenail! When I arrived at the studio bare foot, I was shown to be tattooing a dogs ear and I was taught how to fall for a fighting scene but despite their best efforts, the padding kept slipping and I really was black and blue by the end of the days filming!"

Inky-Adrian who is now retired and previously worked for British Rail had considered the name change over the course of a few months after friends in his two local pubs in Bolton repeatedly called him inky-Adrian and Inky-Bob.

Inky-Adrian added, "I was looking at changing my name officially for a good few months and The Legal Deed Poll Service looked like the best website so I went with them. As I did not want a surname, the form had to be changed to include an asterisk as it was so unusual for someone to opt out of a surname altogether!

"I have told one of my friends about my new name change but not my family as of yet, but this isn't an issue."

Jamie Jackson, Chief executive of The Legal Deed Poll Service, said, "We are constantly getting crazy name change applications through to us and we have a right laugh in the office when they come through. Many applicants still want to carry their family names on even if they do adopt an unusual new first name or middle name."

Mr Jackson who earlier this year changed Christine Hamilton's name to 'Mrs British Battleaxe' by Deed Poll, and changed Big Brother housemates Sophie Reade and Freddie Fishers names to 'Dogface' and 'Halfwit' added, "This new name just goes to show that anything is possible when it comes to name changes by Deed Poll and it is in fact fully legal to change your first name and remove your surname altogether."

Text: © 2009, The Legal Deed Service Ltd.

Image: © 2009, Inky-Adrian (Bob).

This page was last updated: 14th March 2010