Lymington hairdresser Jack Mead reveals 'terrifying' time in E4's The Big Blow Out

A LYMINGTON hair stylist who came close to winning TV hairdressing competition The Big Blow Out has revealed his “terrifying” experience on the show.

Jack Mead, co-owner of Jack & the Wolfe on the Quay, is a multi-award-winning hairdresser who appeared in seven of eight episodes of the contest shown on E4.

Despite his previous success and making it to the semi-finals, Jack (30) found the experience “terrifying”, saying: “It was like being on the hairdressing equivalent of the X Factor.

“Every week was so nail-biting. I am very confident when it comes to cutting and styling, but the show was all about ‘fantasy hair’ which is so far from what I normally do.

“I was totally out of my comfort zone, but I enjoyed the show immensely.”

Jack started his career at the age of just 14 after flunking school. He said: “I was living in the Turkish area of Cyprus and couldn’t speak the language.

“My step-dad, who is Turkish, said I had to get a job and took me to a local barbers. I found I really enjoyed working there and that’s how it all started.”

After moving back to the UK at the age of 16, he joined a hair salon in Southampton before leaving for London where he became a top stylist.

A stint in Australia followed before he returned to Britain.

Jack said: “I wanted my own salon and just fell in love with Lymington.”

He opened Jack & the Wolfe with partner Lydia Wolfe and the two have won many awards since. But he said previous competitions were “nothing” compared with the E4 show.

Jack said: “Being judged on every single move was so nerve racking. It was certainly the hardest thing I think I’ve ever done.

“But I am so glad I did it. It really broadened my horizons. I had to stay in London for the whole time it was filmed and wasn’t allowed to tell anyone I was in it.

“Luckily I have a great team at the salon who were able to look after my clients.”

The show is hosted by AJ Odudu, with judges Sam McKnight and Lisa Farrall.

Jack said he found every week a “challenge” but revealed: “I am happy with how far I got, although I could not bear to watch myself on the show – but Lydia really enjoyed it.”

The couple are now waiting for what Jack says is the “biggest highlight of my career so far” as the southern finalists in the British Hairdressing Awards of the Year, due to take place in London on 28th November.

Jack said: “It is like the Oscars of the hairdressing industry. I have dreamed about being a finalist in it since I was 16.

“We are so excited about it.”