AFTER successfully chopping, styling and tending to the tresses of The Voice UK contestants in 2017, Craig Chapman of Launceston has been asked to return this year as lead hairstylist.

The Craig Chapman Hair Design team, who are based in the White Hart Arcade in Launceston, were delighted to have the opportunity to work with the contestants of ITV’s The Voice last year. When it was announced that his team had once again been chosen as the official hairstylists for this year’s show, Craig said he was very proud of the achievement and was thankful for the support of his team who he said ‘went all out’ to impress.

After being asked back for a second season, Craig said he felt ‘amazing’, adding: “Getting the contract the first time was from a great pitch by my agent but being asked back for a second session is on merit and that makes me and my [The] Voice team very proud.

“That said, we worked really hard to represent ourselves and our agency, Alchemy Artists, so we were planning on trying to bag another season from the start.”

He said he would like to think it was ‘more than just the hair’ that won his team the second contract, as he believes the stylists conducted themselves in a very professional manner, whilst maintaining a fun atmosphere in the studio. He said: “I’d like to think it was more than just the hair as our team went all out to work well alongside everyone involved, production teams, executives, styling, even the singing coaches.

“The hair and make-up room was noted for being the best fun to hang out in around the studio!”

At present Craig and the team have completed the pre-recorded blind auditions and the ‘battles’ stage of the show and are looking forward to this month when the stylists can once again get hands on with some more creative looks.

He said: “We’ve had a great time so far and I can’t wait to get stuck in to some transformations for the live shows.

“It is a process with the contestants’ looks, so the blinds we need to keep them all looking as they are, just groomed and then the battle rounds are a bit more ‘Saturday night’. But once we go to knock-outs in a few weeks then we can start ‘glamming’ them up.”

Craig said the next few weeks will be interesting as the looks become more adventurous but he believes the contestants will be in safe hands as their looks progress through the rounds. He said: “My hair team are exceptional so I’m sure it will be fun and creative and we have great brand support from Redken so if there are any challenges the contestants are in safe hands.”

However, this wonderful opportunity for both Craig and his team comes at a price — more travelling. Craig said there will be lots of travelling from the end of February right through March to the beginning of April, because there is more than ‘just the show’ to work on. He said: “It’s not just the show itself that we work on — all the press shots for each contestant need to be done, background filming for their performances, dance sequences. You name it, if you see anything to do with hair for the contestants to performances, we do it!”

Craig and his team will be back stage once again for the live shows this March.