Sam Smith says they're addicted to tattoos - is a dependency on skin art possible?

Sam Smith has shared that they believe they could be "addicted" to tattoos, having a body ink tally of over 35.

The 30 year old singer - who prefers to use the gender pronoun 'they - performed at Capital FM's Jingle Bell Ball with Barclaycard this weekend and discussed the subject of tattoos in a backstage chat with presenter Roman Kemp.

In response to Kemp saying Smith's fans had been commenting on his body art, the star chatted about some of their recent inkings.

"I’ve been going onto the torso… It was intense, but it was good. We were listening to loads of pop music and it was fun and we had a good time," they revealed. "I was just eating Cheetos, just getting into the mood."

Kemp went on to enquire about what the star had tattooed on their body, to which Smith replied: "It says 'romance' on my belly. And then my anchor on my chest. I’m addicted now. I’m like 35-plus tattoos."

Smith often shares their new inkings with his followers on social media and has previously discussed some of the meanings behind his tattoos.

In 2017, they revealed to Heart Radio presenters Emma Bunton and Jamie Theakston their tattoo of an ice cream on their leg, confessing at the time: "I’ve got like an ice cream on my ankle and I don’t know why it’s there," they revealed.

Read more: Lottie Moss reveals new ‘lover’ face tattoo in TikTok post

Last year, Smith seemed to hint that one of their inkings had been made to reflect their gender identity having come out as non-binary in 2019 and explaining they were changing their pronouns to they/them.

Their new arm inking appears to reflect that, as it features a short-haired figure without a shirt on posing in front of a mirror, while wearing high heels

The snap was posted on Instagram by tattoo and piercing shop The London Social, along with another of Smith standing alongside tattoo artist Miles Langford.

Despite having so many inkings, Smith has also revealed he has no intention of slowing down any time soon.

"When I'm 70, I think I'll get one on my face," they told PEOPLE. "Through my life, I'm just gonna fill up and then when I hit my 70th birthday, I'll get something here probably," Smith said, pointing to their left cheek. They noted it would be something "small."

"And then 80th will be like, 'Woah!'" Smith added.

Smith isn't the only celebrity who has hinted they may have an addiction to getting inked.

Fearne Cotton has also discussed her love of tattoos on the Johnathan Ross Show. The TV presenter told the chat show host: "Seriously, if I wasn't on TV, I'd have tattoos all over my whole body. I would go mental. I'm addicted to tattoos. I love the look, the process, the feeling of, 'Yes! I didn't pass out, I've just achieved something'."

Meanwhile David Beckham is thought to have over 40 inkings on his body, and while there's no suggestion he is "addicted" to getting tattoos, he's clearly a fan of body art.

Watch: Sam Smith arrives at Capital's Jingle Bell Ball

Read more: Bride and groom-to-be devastated after getting date of cancelled wedding tattooed on their arms

Is it really possible to get addicted to tattoos?

According to psychology professor Viren Swami, from Anglia Ruskin University there is actually no such thing as tattoo addiction.

“Addiction is a really broad term," he tells The Guardian. "You can be addicted to the pain, or to the pleasure of people commenting on the tattoos, or to the pleasure of the artwork.”

He believes there is another feeling at play, which may muddle feelings of addition.

“When someone first gets a tattoo, their body image improves temporarily and they feel they have more uniqueness,” he explains.

Read more: Five facts about the history of tattoos

A fan of tattoos himself, Abbas Kanani, a pharmacist at Chemist Click online pharmacy has delivered his own thoughts on tattoo "addiction" to Yahoo UK.

"There are scientific claims that the chemicals released to deal with the pain of getting a tattoo, are adrenaline and endorphins," he explains. "The short bursts of these chemicals, along with the excitement of getting a tattoo, can associate tattoos with a pleasurable feeling."

But speaking from his own experience, Kanani believes there are some other emotions at play that keep tattoo 'addicts' returning for more.

"It is most likely the novelty of a new tattoo wearing off, and the desire to get another one to attain the same level of satisfaction," he suggests. "Whether it’s to feel alive, or to seek the validation and attention of others, it’s not really a case of an addiction from a scientific perspective.

"It’s more about the change in appearance of a body part, the meaning attached to tattoos, or the attention that comes along with a new tattoo, which make people want more."