Researchers also found that Cheddar Man was closely related to closely related to Western Hunter-Gatherers who have been analysed from Spain, Luxembourg and Hungary. Scientist say Europeans today share about 10% of their DNA with Mesolithic people like Cheddar Man.
So, when did Britons become light skinned as they are now known to be? According to the BBC:
Pale skin probably arrived in Britain with a migration of people around 3,000 years ago. This population had pale skin and brown eyes and absorbed populations like the ones Cheddar Man belonged to.
One hundred and fifteen years ago, the remains on a human was found in Gough’s Cave, located in Somerset’s Cheddar Gorge. This skeleton was nicknamed Cheddar Man. He lived about ten thousand years ago. Take note of his hair face and skin.
Scientists led by museum DNA expert Ian Barnes drilled into the skull to extract DNA from bone powder. They say analysis indicates he had blue eyes, dark curly hair and "dark to black" skin pigmentation.