Barber backchat: get to know liverpool barber cutthroat pete

In the lead up to Salon International we're profiling the stars of the HJ Men stage in a series of Barber Backchat interviews. Here Cutthroat Pete chats to HJ Men about his career to date, what makes him feel proud and why his granddad was such an inspiration to him. What are you planning for your stint on the HJ Men stage at Salon International? Liam the Barber and I are working on something for BaByliss PRO. We have a long distance relationship so still working it out. All I can say is that it’s going to be very cool… we’re keeping out cards close to our chest for now! Describe the moment you knew you wanted to be a barber? I was probably about 15 years old, giving my granddad his regular hair and beard trim in his back garden! I could see how happy he was after a tidy up and I really enjoyed that he thought I’d done a decent job. After that, I knew that I wanted to be a barber and carried on my interest in men's hair. I always enjoyed the conversations I had with my barber too. What’s your favourite hair image? One of my favourite hair images is an American Crew shot from the early 2000s. It inspired me massively to experiment and to give my clients the confidence to try new things. One of my favourite images of a haircut that I've done myself is from a collaboration collection I did with Dan Gregory and Michael Leckie. That image inspired many of my clients to change their hair up. What is your favourite Salon International memory?  I have actually cut hair on the HJ Men stage before, and I had a blast. I also took Jen my wife to one about four or five years ago, just before the barber industry became what it has now. She loved seeing what goes on. What makes you feel proud? I’m currently being driven back to Liverpool from London as I answer these questions and that makes me proud. The fact that people like my services enough that they they fly me to other countries or get me to travel a good distance for a trim is brilliant. It’s what I dreamt of doing 17 years ago when I started out. I will never take it for granted! Do you have a hair hero? No. I have a life hero, he was my grandad. Also, my staff constantly inspire me, I have a great team of barbers working with me. What’s your most embarrassing moment? I do get nervous on stage cutting hair in front of big crowds but it always feels great when you get into it. Come to think of it, I’ve felt embarrassed when I’ve met a few footballers and not known their name, not sure why this embarrasses me but it does! Where will we find you at Salon International when you’re not on stage? You will probably find me at the BaByliss PRO stage! I also really like what the guys at Salons Direct are doing with their new ‘Barbering Direct’ venture so you might find me there too. How would you sum yourself up in three words? Loyal, proud and passionate. Not booked your Salon International tickets yet? Get them here.