Tuesday Topic with Christine Rutter

HOLLYWOOD heart-throb George Clooney has taken the plunge. So have footballers David Beckham, Ally McCoist and Billy McKinlay.

We are talking about the newest trend to hit the hairdressing salons - men who go blond.

Adventurous males in the county are following the rich and famous and bleaching their dark locks white in a hairdo blitz to rival the Kevin Keegan perm craze.

Hairdos have always been a fickle arena and it takes just one footballer or film star to switch the trend.

"McKinlay has really kicked off a trend in East Lancashire," confessed hairdresser Jeff Stone, who runs a salon in Fleming Square, Blackburn

"Footballers and celebrities can be responsible for people having their hair a certain way. Gazza really started off this blond trend."

Gary Standring, owner of Garays in Blackburn, revealed: "I've had guys coming in saying 'Give me a McKinlay.'

But do blond boys have more fun?.

Blackburn College hairdressing student Jonathon Martin, who is a member of the punk rock band Intravenous, seems to think so.

The 18-year-old claims his pasty mop is a chick magnet.

"It definitely has it's affect on women. There is something about having blond hair. You do get noticed more by the women. You stand out and it gives you more confidence."

Jonathon, from Worston, added: "I thought I'd give it a whirl. You only live once and I thought it was fantastic. I am going to keep it blond as long as possible." Gary Standring, owner of Garays in Blackburn, claims that turning an ebony mane into ivory tresses can turn an introvert into an extrovert - overnight.

He claimed: "It can change a man's personality almost instantly when he goes blond.

"It gives him more confidence. They stand out and it draws attention to them. People want to talk to them."

Jonathon, a natural dark brown, agreed: "I was quite shy before I had it done but I've become quite an extrovert now. The blond hair made me more confident. I like being the centre of attention, if I'm honest, and I get noticed more now."

Eric Brotherton, whose natural colour is a mixture of brown and grey, confesses that he feels extra confident with his blond tresses.

Hairdresser Eric, who runs Triangles, Preston New Road, Blackburn, said: "It's a confidence boost. An instant change."

Bingo caller and supervisor at Riva Bingo Ian Kelly had his light brown hair bleached at the start of a new career move in his present company.

"I'm trying to get into management at the moment. Having my hair dyed blond is probably an extension of that -the feeling of just wanting to do something a little bit different."

Ian, 28, of Larkhill, Blackburn, said his hair colour matched his outgoing personality.

"I'm outrageous and tend to do what most people dare not do," he said. "I take risks and I think it is reflected in my choice of hair colour."

But he claims his pale mane sometimes wins him the badge of blond bimbo

"I get a mixed reaction," he said. "Some love it and others are shocked. I sometimes get called a blond bimbo but it is just about having fun and a laugh." Years ago, men wouldn't have dared to go blond for fear of being classed as unmanly.

"At one time, a man having his hair dyed would be frowned upon and seen as effeminate. But today, because macho footballers or film stars colour their hair, it gives guys a seal of approval to go ahead and change their hair colour." maintained Gary.

Pam Chadwick, head of the hairdressing division of Blackburn College, agrees that the boundaries for men to change their image are widening.

"Some men even wear make-up now - a bit of foundation to boost their complexion. Men are really into colours. Blond for men is very popular at the moment. It's something new, something different, something brighter."

Many people who are not natural blonds stand out because their new hair colour clashes with their complexion.

Gary said: "McKinlay stands out on the field because the colour is not in keeping with his skin tone. He looks even more bizarre in a way.

"You should only bleach five or six shades lighter than your normal colour, otherwise it will not be compatible with your skin tone."

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