Will Foran, a Preston hairdresser, is swapping his scissors for a place on the judging panel as he takes his prestigious place at a major Irish dance championships.
Will, the Len Goodman of the hairdressing world, splits his time between his hairdressing salon, Foran & Blake Hair and Beauty and Foran & Blake Dance 4U studio, in Clifford Street.
He teaches Latin and ballroom styles to students aged from five to 65 and led his dancing team to an amazing 36 medal victory at the Sheffield Medallist Competition earlier this year.
Now Will is judging the All Ireland Dancing Championships for the third year in a row. The competition is close to his heart as Will once won himself in the open jive category and came second in the five dance amateur.
The 38-year-old said: “I think I would compare myself to Len Goodman as a judge, because of my experience with the technical side of dance.
“I will be focusing on footwork, and whether the competitors are moving in time to the music.
“These are the important things for me.”
Will travelled all over the UK to take part in competitions during his dance career: “Dance has always been in my life.
“My mum and dad both loved to dance, and my aunt taught Irish dancing in Manchester That’s what brought me from Sligo to Chorley when I was 21. I wanted to make a name for myself.
“My hairdressing career took off and I was soon in charge of 15 salons as a district leader.”
Will is also hoping that he will be honoured as the business director of the year after he made the shortlist of the British Hairdressing Business Awards.