The best a man can get

IT'S not the first close shave I've had in South Yorkshire, but it's certainly the most pleasant...

New gents' salon The Gentry opens in Mexborough today and, to make sure they're at the cutting edge of male grooming, they called in celeb clipper Daniel Rouah to train their staff in the latest bloke barbering techniques.

The Gentry, situated on the edge of the town centre, is run by scissor brothers Steve and Andrew Madin, who promise to bring a whole new approach to the way local lads look after their looks.

Mr Rouah has clipped some of the finest chins in the business.

Former clients include Chris Evans, Chris Tarrant, Norman Wisdom and Withnail star Richard E Grant. As the former host of TV show 'The Big E', he was once famously chased off the set by boozer Oliver Reed!

"The format of the show was that I'd get a celebrity in the barber's chair, interview them as I cut their hair, and gave them a shave," Daniel told The Star.

"When Mr Reed was on, it was just before Christmas and he'd clearly had a few drinks before he arrived; once he got in the green room he had another 12 double scotches.

"Everything was going fine at first with the interview but he was so drunk, he fell asleep in the chair. Whilst he was snoozing, someone had the bright idea of dressing him as Santa Claus.

"So we put on the beard, the red coat and everything.

"Then he came round, and I honestly believe he didn't recognise himself when he looked in the mirror.

He just went nuts - he punched the mirror and ended up cutting his hand. He then turned on me and chased me out of the studio. He was a really big bloke so I just ran and let him get on with it!"

Ollie might have been up for it, but I wouldn't mess with Daniel when he's got a cutthroat.

His hands move with such speed and dexterity, it's a sight to behold.

The only time I got nervous was when I asked how much a shave from him would normally cost.

"Between 60 and 90", he said.

If he hadn't a razor at my throat, I'd have jumped out of my seat!

But Mexborough men needn't worry about such steep prices - the full monty at the Gentry will rush you just 20, hot towels and all.

And, believe it or not, it's worth it - I left there knowing why my girlfriend spends so much at the salon. I felt thoroughly pampered, not an experience familiar to a Sheffield Wednesday fan!

Gentry owner Steve Madin said: "We wanted to get the best person we could to show us the techniques of male grooming and that's Oliver.

"South Yorkshire men are definitely ready for this sort of service and we're proud to be the first to provide it."

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