Extreme body modification: Ted Richards cuts off his ears to mimic pet parrots

A man who tattooed his face and eyeballs to resemble his beloved pet parrots has taken a drastic next step and cut off his ears. Ted Richards, 56, had both ears removed in a six hour surgical operation in order to look like his beloved parrots Ellie, Teaka, Timneh, Jake and Bubi.

He already has 110 tattoos and 50 piercings. He gave his severed ears to a friend "who will appreciate them" and will keep them in resin. He is now looking for a surgeon willing to turn his nose into a beak.

He told the Bristol Post: "I think it looks really great. I love it. It's the best thing that has happened to me. I am so happy it's unreal, I can't stop looking in the mirror. I've done it because I want to look like my parrots as much as possible. I've had my hair long for so many years my ears have been covered up. I have to admit I did used to get teased at school about my ears but that not the reason I've had it done."

Ted will not reveal who carried out the operation, but said he has now got a girlfriend – Suzannah, 31. Ted said his only concern since undergoing the operation was that he would have no ears to rest his glasses on, but has had 'transdermal' implants inserted into his head to solve the problem.

Earlier this year Ted had metal implants inserted into his head to form three beads down his forehead, and two one-and-a-half inch horns inserted in his forehead. He also had his tongue split, and his eye injected with ink. He had a peace sign branded onto his left shoulder with a hot iron.

Richards said that the reaction of locals has been positive. "The kids are running up to me and asking to see gory photos - they just love it. They are just so fascinated. I was really surprised - I thought they were more likely to run away. I went to the supermarket the other day and when I went in, I said 'Blimey it's so windy out there it blew my ears off' – and everybody had a chuckle."