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Strictly Come Dancing star Shayne Ward has been left bemused by the mixed response from fans over his decision to ditch his trademark shaven head and grow his hair long.
The 39-year-old singer and actor first shot to fame almost 20 years ago when he won the second series of The X Factor back in 2005 and since then has largely kept his hair closely cropped.
His locks however are naturally curly and in recent years he has decided to embrace that more and grow it out.
He first experimented in 2011 when he landed the role of rock star Stacee Jaxx in Rock of Ages in the West End and wore a long blond wig on stage every night, reducing the need to reach for a razer as often.
The That’s My Goal hit-maker said he then decided to take a further plunge when cast as singing detective Jack Grayling on The Good Ship Murder, which aired its first series last year on Channel 5.
“I wanted to be like Don Johnson in Miami Vice,” he explained in a new interview ahead of Strictly’s launch show on Saturday.
Acknowledging that while some of his fans aren’t as keen, he says he’s “excited about having hair”.
Adding: “My hair has got a mind of its own. I've kept it long purposefully now for Strictly because I never want to look the same. People have their opinion on it but I'm excited about having hair.”
Meanwhile, fellow contestant JB Gill has warned that Ward could be a “dark horse” in the competition.
The JLS star explained: “He’s got some movement in those hips”.
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Former Arsenal play Paul Merson agrees that the Mancunian native could be a contender for the Glitterball Trophy, telling the Standard he’s “really good”.
