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| David Dimbleby tattoo raises question of scorpion's legs | David Dimbleby tattoo raises question of scorpion's legs |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| How many legs does a scorpion have? | How many legs does a scorpion have? |
| If you look closely at the design recently tattooed onto the skin of BBC Question Time presenter David Dimbleby, the answer appears to be six. | If you look closely at the design recently tattooed onto the skin of BBC Question Time presenter David Dimbleby, the answer appears to be six. |
| But scorpions - members of the arachnida class along with spiders - actually have eight legs, as well as their distinctive pincers. | But scorpions - members of the arachnida class along with spiders - actually have eight legs, as well as their distinctive pincers. |
| So the big question for the 75-year-old broadcaster is whether there is a sting in the tail following his first venture into the world of tattoos - and has he left himself a little short in the leg department? | So the big question for the 75-year-old broadcaster is whether there is a sting in the tail following his first venture into the world of tattoos - and has he left himself a little short in the leg department? |
| Asked if there is such a thing as a six-legged scorpion, an expert at London Zoo's invertebrates section said that while there are always exceptions in the animal kingdom - "there are birds that don't fly" - he was unaware of any six-legged scorpions. | |
| He did add that whip scorpions only have six "walking legs", but two more are present and are used as feelers. | He did add that whip scorpions only have six "walking legs", but two more are present and are used as feelers. |
| Mr Dimbleby's agent said the presenter was unavailable for comment. However, the east London studio which drew the tattoo told the BBC News website that staff had reproduced a design Mr Dimbleby provided. | Mr Dimbleby's agent said the presenter was unavailable for comment. However, the east London studio which drew the tattoo told the BBC News website that staff had reproduced a design Mr Dimbleby provided. |
| It should be noted that the 2004 single The Scorpion by the American thrash metal band Megadeth features a scorpion with only six visible legs on its cover, but it is not known whether Mr Dimbleby is a fan of their output. | It should be noted that the 2004 single The Scorpion by the American thrash metal band Megadeth features a scorpion with only six visible legs on its cover, but it is not known whether Mr Dimbleby is a fan of their output. |
| Speaking earlier to the Radio Times, Mr Dimbleby said: "You are only old once. I have always wanted a tattoo." | Speaking earlier to the Radio Times, Mr Dimbleby said: "You are only old once. I have always wanted a tattoo." |
| He added that the tattoo represented his star sign, Scorpio. | He added that the tattoo represented his star sign, Scorpio. |
| He got the tattoo while making the maritime series, Britain and the Sea, which will be shown on BBC One on Sunday. | He got the tattoo while making the maritime series, Britain and the Sea, which will be shown on BBC One on Sunday. |
| Since Mr Dimbleby's scorpion tattoo, his brother and fellow broadcaster Jonathan has tweeted: "How do you know I haven't got a tattoo already - just more discreet about it?" | Since Mr Dimbleby's scorpion tattoo, his brother and fellow broadcaster Jonathan has tweeted: "How do you know I haven't got a tattoo already - just more discreet about it?" |
| And his BBC colleague Jane Garvey, presenter of BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour, tweeted: "I've had a tattoo of David Dimbleby for years. Who hasn't?" | And his BBC colleague Jane Garvey, presenter of BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour, tweeted: "I've had a tattoo of David Dimbleby for years. Who hasn't?" |
| And comedian Jack Dee tweeted: "Just seen Dimbleby park his Harley outside Leather-Jackets-R-Us. "Welcome to Question Time" or "Yo, Wha's up?" As it's now called." | And comedian Jack Dee tweeted: "Just seen Dimbleby park his Harley outside Leather-Jackets-R-Us. "Welcome to Question Time" or "Yo, Wha's up?" As it's now called." |
| Britain and the Sea, made in partnership with the National Maritime Museum, starts on Sunday 17 November at 21:00 GMT on BBC One. | Britain and the Sea, made in partnership with the National Maritime Museum, starts on Sunday 17 November at 21:00 GMT on BBC One. |