Author J.K. Rowling's outing of Harry Potter's mentor Albus Dumbledore has caused reactions of different kinds around the world.

And a more amusing consequence of the announcement is being experienced by 36-year old Paul Croft, who brandishes a 2-foot tattoo of the newly-exposed wizard on his back.

Circumstances have, however, turned against the well-meaning factory worker father as his co-workers have found it an irresistible urge to make him the butt end of jokes ever since the revelation that Dumbledore was gay, and was in love with a fellow wizard.

"I went into work and everyone was snickering," recalled Croft. "When I walked in, one of the lads said, 'Oi, Paul heard about Dumbledore?"

"It's been terrible," he added. "I've always liked Dumbledore - just not in that way."

The tattoo, which cost $1200, portrayed Dumbledore holding a scroll which bore the names of Croft's five children, all of whom are huge Harry Potter fans.