South Shields barber makes the cut with appearance in hit TV drama Vera

An award-winning barber has relived his acting debut after making the final cut in hit television detective drama Vera.
South Shields barber Allan Stone, left, with Vera actor Jonathan Spencer.South Shields barber Allan Stone, left, with Vera actor Jonathan Spencer.
South Shields barber Allan Stone, left, with Vera actor Jonathan Spencer.

Allan Stone, 45, appeared in the opening scene of the new ITV series last Sunday as he transferred his real-life skills to the fictional storyline.

Millions of viewers saw him giving actor Jonathan Spencer, who plays entrepreneur Freddie Gill, a real close shave with a cut-throat razer shortly before he was shot dead after leaving the salon.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The dad-of-two, who owns Stoney’s Barber Shop at Laygate, South Shields, and lectures part-time at South Tyneside College, said: “It was a fantastic experience and one that has confirmed further what I already knew, that gaining skills and having a profession can open doors to new things.

South Shields barber Allan Stone.South Shields barber Allan Stone.
South Shields barber Allan Stone.

“I was actually down in London last June for work when a friend messaged me to say he had seen a TV talent agency make a request online for a professional barber to play a part in a television show.

“I applied but was given no clue which programme it was, then out of the blue I got a call to say I’d won the part out of 400 people who had applied.

“It was only then that I was told what it was, I over the moon and excited – Vera is my mum Marilyn’s favourite.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I still wasn’t told when it was being broadcast and I was actually at home paying no attention to the telly when my wife Rachel ran through and told me the first episode was about to start.

“It was great to see myself on screen and even though it was only a small role, I’m very proud to have been part of a hit TV show. Hollywood here I come.”

To win the role, Allan submitted photos of himself working and took along a razor to filming.

He had to be on set near Newcastle Quayside at 6am one day last August and was then whisked away to a city barbers owned by a friend which had been hired for the day by the producers.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Allan, who is from South Shields, is a Grandmaster Barber, as named by the British Barbers’ Alliance, and a Master Barber, as recognised by the British Barbers’ Association, the voice of the industry.

He began his career at Saks in Newcastle as a Saturday worker while still at school and today employs a full-time team of three and an apprentice.

Last July he also began operating Stoney’s Male Grooming@Crown Hair from a single barbering chair, inside Crown Hair and Beauty, in Sea Winnings Way, South Shields.

South Tyneside itself features heavily in the new series with Marsden Grotto among the locations used. Nearby Sunderland Greyhound Stadium will also shortly appear in the series.