Hull 'Ken Doll' obsessed with tanning faces prison

Wannabe reality TV star Jimmy Featherstone – nicknamed 'Hull's Ken Doll' – has been warned that he could face a prison sentence after admitting a serious 'sextortion' blackmail offence.

The flamboyant cosmetic surgery fan, also known for his love of fake tanning, appeared before Hull Crown Court accused of blackmailing a man by making an unwarranted demand for money with menaces between August 16 and 19.

He pleaded guilty to the offence against the man, who cannot be named because of an automatic court order to protect his identity.

Featherstone, 25, of Hessle Road, west Hull, was on bail for the hearing. The police had, in a statement, previously described the offence as involving 'sextortion'.

Neil Coxon, prosecuting, said that the blackmail offence affected not only the man, who was the victim of it, but also his partner.

A statement from the partner was being obtained as part of the prosecution case, said Mr Coxon. This would be made available at a future hearing.

Featherstone was represented by Rachel Scott. He was allowed conditional bail for a pre-sentence report to be prepared upon him by the probation service.

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Recorder Ian Mullarkey told Featherstone: 'You have pleaded guilty to what is a serious case.' The fact that the case was being adjourned for a pre-sentence report was no indication of what sentence would be imposed.

All options would be considered at the next hearing, including a possible prison sentence. Featherstone was warned that, if he failed to attend at court next time or he committed any further offences, he would be committing a separate offence.

His bail was on condition that he lived at his home address and that he did not contact the blackmail victim in any way, whether directly, indirectly or through social media. He was accompanied at court by a female supporter.

Featherstone, known for his colourful persona, appeared on the TV programme Hooked On The Look, which featured the world of cosmetic surgery.

He previously appeared on ITV's This Morning, alongside Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary, where he discussed his addiction to fake tanning, including the use of tanning injections.

Featherstone told viewers that he spent two days in bed feeling 'really hot and sick' after he used the injections - which work by pumping your body with an artificial hormone that increases melanin production - for the first time at the age of 18.

Featherstone started using tanning products and going on sun-beds at 15 after being inspired by his glamorous mother, but soon graduated to using injectable tanning agents.

'The first time I did that I was 18. I was in bed for about two days I was really poorly, I was really hot and sick. I still do it now and I feel I'm used to what the liquid does to my body,' Jimmy said.

When asked why he is so determined to make his skin darker, he said: 'I feel it makes me better once I've got a tan. I don't leave the house without a tan.

'It makes me feel good about myself, some people won't leave the house without make-up. I won't leave without a tan.'

Featherstone had also previously revealed his ambitions to look like his 'plastic fantastic' idol - a Ken doll, and spends £10,000 a year on cosmetic work including lip fillers, cheek fillers, botox and veneers.

He said: 'I have always been someone who wants to stand out from the crowd.

'And now I even want to look a bit more out there than I already do, I want to look more plastic, that's the aesthetic I like.

'If I had to describe what I want to look like it would be a Ken doll, I just think he's plastic fantastic and looks amazing.

'I know I'm not everyone's cup of tea but I don't care, I'm doing what makes me happy.'