Lee Stafford interview
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This month stylist-to-the stars Lee Stafford is back attempting the impossible on the third series of BBC 3 reality show Celebrity Scissorhands. The top trimmer will try to turn a group of famous novice snippers into hair and beauty experts in just three weeks. Essex-born Lee explains to HELLO! why he's game for the challenge.

You're under a lot of pressure trying to turn the celebs into hairstylists in such a short time. Why would you put yourself through that?

"I thrive on a challenge and it's good fun, such a crack! And it's for charity."

Members of the public who volunteer for a cut are invited to make a donation to the Children In Need appeal for what they think the result is worth. What's the biggest donation you've ever had?

"It's in the thousands I think."

And the hours in the academy are pretty long...

"Yes, it's hard work. I work six days a week and you're there from nine to something ridiculous like eight. So it's long hours.

"It doesn't feel like work, though. They say if you enjoy what you do you never do a day's work in your life."

Tell us about some of the people on the show this year.

"We've got Grange Hill actors, Chris Perry-Metcalf and Lee Macdonald, who played Zammo. There's also The Apprentice finalist Lucinda Ledgerwood and Shana Swash, who was Demi Miller in EastEnders."

When you've finished with them, could the trainees get a job in a hair salon?

"They could certainly blag it! Not in my salon, mind."

Do you shout and scream like some of the TV chefs on the show?

"No, in the hairdressing business there's a lot of etiquette because you're doing your craft in front of customers. There were a few shouts and screams in the staff room and shrieks on the salon floor, but in general you've got to control that.

"So there's a lot of tension as people have to hold themselves together and you know they're falling apart inside. There's a lot of anxiety – and that's just for the viewers!"

What about past trainees? Seventies pop star Steve Strange provided some pretty dramatic moments in the previous series and he's back as an image consultant...

"Yes, he's cut people's ears. He shaved Vs at the back of ladies' heads. He made people look like plucked chickens. People were crying.

"Does he mean to do it? No he doesn't, he's living in his own world. The crazy thing is he's actually trying to be creative and he's a very creative man.

"Some of the haircuts he does are in the same vein as those of professional hairstylists – except technically he can't really deliver."

How do customers react?

"With sheer horror – because they don't know who they're going to get when they go into the academy. But obviously if they've seen the show they know what Steve's like."

The trainees also have to do a presentation...

"Yes, we changed the finale last time, which provided for a lot of build-up. The two top celebs had to cut hair in front of an audience of experienced hairdressers. This year Nicky Clarke will be on the judging panel."

You've cut the hair of celebrity clients like Naomi Campbell and Jodie Kidd. Who's your favourite?

"Definitely the Stones and Avril Lavigne, Dido. I like musicians, that's my kind of style.

"I used to go to Mick Jagger's and Ronnie Woods' houses. Being part of the Stones' little circle was amazing and surreal at the same time."