Taylor’s dancing style in focus at big event

Hairdresser making waves

Hair stylist to the stars Taylor Ferguson is swapping his scissors for dancing shoes to help raise funds for charity.

The Coatbridge- born celebrity hair guru – whose clients include Lulu, Billy Connolly and Penny Lancaster – will step outside his comfort zone to perform an American Smooth dance at a black-tie event in aid of The Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice this Saturday.

Taylor has prepared to get in a spin at the (A Little Less) Strictly Come Dancing spectacular in Glasgow’s Hilton by teaming up with professional dance tutor Maria Oakes – a two-time winner of the hospice event – by turning his Glasgow salon into a makeshift dance studio twice a week for training sessions.

He told the Advertiser: “I’m on my feet all day while cutting hair and I do move about a lot around the client’s chair during appointments, but this is movement on a very different level.

“There’s so much concentration required to make sure all the limbs are doing the right thing at the right time!

“I suspected it would be tough, but didn’t think it would be quite so difficult.

“I’ve got a great teacher in Maria who is extremely patient. She’s going for the hat-trick at the event; I’m just aiming to get through the two-minute routine in one piece and stay upright!

“The event is a sell-out so the eyes of 600 or so guests will be on my feet; I have to confess to being a tad nervous.”

Taylor added: “Over the years we’ve supported the hospice movements in Glasgow and Lanarkshire in many different ways – however, this is by far the toughest gig I’ve faced.

“But it’s a very worthwhile cause and it’s been a lot of fun.”

Taylor is joining seven other “nondancer” contestants for the event this weekend, which is being hosted by Carol Smillie, while Strictly Come Dancing stars Oti Mabuse and Giovanni Pernice will perform a show dance.

Each contestant has been asked to raise at least £3000, but kind-hearted Taylor has already hit the £11,800 mark and has been buoyed by the generosity of supporters.

He said: “It’s been overwhelming and clients, friends, family and business associates have all dug deep to contribute to the appeal.

“I’m hugely appreciative and I just keep thinking about their generosity during the twice-weekly training sessions.

“Sometimes, between appointments, a couple of the salon team will rehearse with me; we get some odd looks from passers-by, but we’ve also had lots of thumbs-up from passing motorists and bus passengers.

“As I step out under the glitter ball I’ll just be focusing on doing my best to raise as much as possible for the charity.”

In a spin Taylor gets put through his paces by Maria Oakes