'Too ugly' man given job - Update

A job-hunting father-of-two who felt potential employers were discriminating against him because of his disfiguring skin condition is over the moon after his first day back at work.

Edward Johnson, of Holgate, York, worked a trial shift at the Spurriergate Centre, in York, yesterday.

The 53-year-old had applied for more than 80 jobs without success, and Mr Johnson believed employers were overlooking him because of his “ugly appearance”.



Mr Johnson, who was made redundant last month, said: “I feel great to be working again. It’s such a nice feeling to be earning a wage in an atmosphere where nobody bothers about my condition. I’m just another member of staff.

“I’ve been clearing tables in the restaurant, working behind the food counter and doing some washing up. I’m prepared to turn my hand to anything. It’s just part-time work, but the Spurriergate Centre are happy for me to work here on a temporary basis until I find a full-time job, which is fantastic.”

Mr Johnson suffers from the hereditary skin condition neurofibromatosis, which has left him with hundreds of benign tumours all over his body. He has 40 years experience in the food industry and worked at Kerry Sweet Ingredients, in Pocklington, as a hygiene supervisor before being made redundant last month.