A gigantic statue of a man swimming is unveiled on the bank of the River Thames in London – the fixture was commissioned by The Discovery Channel to advertise its newest reality show, “London Ink” and was be unveiled by the show’s star, Louis Molloy.

Mr Molloy is best known for being David Beckham’s personal tattooist, and is responsible for the famous ‘guardian angel’ tattoo on the footballer’s back.

The swimming man is 46 feet long by 10 feet high and made out of reinforced polystyrene, hand painted to resemble human flesh. He has a tattoo covering his back, which was designed by Mr Molloy and features a Koi Carp lying on a bed of traditional fish and chips and splattered with vinegar.

A week later, a similar statue will be installed on the concourse at Victoria Station, featuring a giant woman trying to squeeze into a photo booth. Her top rides up to reveal a tattoo of a pigeon.

The swimming man statues will remain in place for a few weeks before being moved to different locations across the UK.

Mr Molloy said: “The aim of the London Ink show is to make tattoos mainstream and change the stereotype of tattoos as only being for criminals and sailors. The huge statue is sure to be a major draw for tourists and Londoners, and get tattooing out in the mainstream.”

A spokeswoman for The Discovery Channel said: “We created these because we want people to interact with them. We want people to get out their camera phones and take pictures of them, and of their friends with them. We want to create a real stir.”

I will try my best to get a picture with this swimming man, possibly this weekend.