A pub worker from St Keverne has appeared on E4's Tattoo Fixers to celebrate his miracle recovery from losing 60 per cent of his skull.
Normally dedicated to fixing embarrassing tattoos, this time the show made exception for Mitch Crowther and gave him a new design celebrating life and rebirth, after hearing his story.
Aged just 20 and about to start his final year at university, it looked as though life as he knew it was about to end when Mitch suffered a devastating brain injury in a fall.
Hitting his head on the pavement, his brain swelled to such an extent that surgeons were forced to remove 60 per cent of his skull.
He had to learn to walk again and for the next year he lost the use of his right arm entirely.
Mitch lost 60 per cent of his skull following a brain injury
Mitch, who now lives in St Keverne where he works at the Three Tuns pub, said: "Initially it was really embarrassing that I would have to have my parents tying my shoes. When we went out for a meal I had to pass my mum my plate to cut my food up.
"In the end I just came to terms with it."
Five years on and an impressive scar on his head is the only sign of this traumatic period in his life. Twelve months after the accident surgeons fitted a metal plate where his skull used to be and immediately after waking up from the anaesthetic Mitch found he had regained use of his right arm.
Surgeons put a metal plate to cover Mitch's brain
Mitch, who already had two existing tattoos, applied to be on the programme not expecting to hear anything, but the production team got in touch almost immediately and filming took place last October. His episode aired last Wednesday and can still be seen on E4 Catch Up.
He chose a design from tattoo artist Uzzi Canby, which depicted trees and mountains below a space scene.
The tattoo Mitch received. Image: Tattoo Fixers
He could not be happier with the end result, saying: "They said not to look at it before it's revealed, so the reaction on TV is genuine. I'm absolutely buzzing about it."
Mitch described the experience of filming as "a bit daunting" but added that everybody could not have been more welcoming, from the tattoo artists to crew behind the scenes.
He also revealed that studio where the show is filmed really is set amongst shops in an actual London street, just as it appears on TV.
Mitch has now fully recovered
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