Theguardian

Award-winning hairdresser Trevor Sorbie dies aged 75

Z.Baker29 min ago
The hairdresser Trevor Sorbie has died aged 75, his company said.

The Scottish-born stylist, who gained fame with the creation of the wedge cut as well as his TV appearances, revealed in October he had weeks to live after his bowel cancer spread to his liver.

A spokesman for Sorbie's company confirmed his death to the PA news agency.

On Instagram, the hair salon said: "It is with heartfelt emotion that we share the passing of our esteemed founder, Trevor Sorbie MBE.

"Trevor passed away peacefully with his family and beloved dog by his side. Trevor's journey, marked by unparalleled creativity and kindness, has left an indelible mark on the world of hairdressing and beyond."

The award-winning stylist set up the charity My New Hair to provide "public advice and support a national network of independent salons and professionals who provide a wig styling service for people suffering from cancer and medical hair loss".

A company statement said: "Honouring Trevor's wishes, there will be no funeral. In lieu of flowers, we invite you to support four charities: Marie Curie, Cancer Research UK, Rowans Hospice and My New Hair, all close to his heart.

"We also plan to celebrate his remarkable life and contributions with a special event next year and will share details in due course."

Sorbie was a four-time British Hairdresser of the Year winner and his methods helped to transform the world of hairdressing through trend-setting styles such as the wolf man, sculpture, and the wave, and a fast-drying process called the scrunch.

Public attention grew following various broadcast appearances including on This Morning, The Wright Stuff, GMTV and Mary Queen Of Shops. He also appeared as a mentor, along with the chef Gordon Ramsay, on the Channel 4 programme Faking It, where a professional would show a novice how to excel in their field.

Despite numerous awards and styling the hair of Chris Tarrant, and Olympic skaters Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, Sorbie said his "biggest accolade" was being made an MBE by Queen Elizabeth II in 2004.

Sorbie began volunteering at the Princess Alice hospice in Esher, Surrey, after beginning to step back from the salon floor in 2006.

He told the Times "it really unnerved" him when he was asked to cut the wig of a patient for her wedding, but was told she might die before then.

"She died the next day, but as I shut the door [after cutting her wig], I remember thinking for the first time in my life: 'I'm not just a hairdresser, I feel special'," he recalled.

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