Following the recent death of hairdresser John Worsley, who worked in Wanstead for over 40 years, his friend and colleague Danielle Tomlin pays respect to a man who had a contagious love for life
John was not just a colleague to me; he was someone who truly made an impression on my life. When I think about him, I think about his warmth, his generosity and the way he brought energy and life into every room he walked into.
John grew up in Australia, where he built a very successful career in hairdressing. He owned and ran successful hairdressing businesses with his good friend and was incredibly talented at what he did. Hairdressing wasn’t just a job for John; it was his passion. He had a natural gift for it, and people trusted him not only for his skill but also for the way he made them feel.
Following these successes, John decided to travel. He explored many different places, meeting new people and experiencing the world in a way that really shaped the person he became. His travels eventually brought him to the UK, where he met his partner, Lorenzo, with whom he shared 32 wonderful years. It was here that John chose to settle and continue building his life and career.
When John started working at the Wanstead salon that was then called Steven Russell Hairdressing – now Enigma Hair and Beauty – he quickly became a huge part of the team. John went on to work there for more than 40 years, becoming a familiar and much-loved face in the community. Throughout his career, John also had the opportunity to work in fashion, designing clothes. It allowed him to express his creativity and be part of an exciting and ever-changing industry. His eye for style and detail made him perfectly suited to that world, and it was another example of how talented and passionate he was about his craft. His experience and skill were clear to everyone, but what really stood out was his personality. He had a way of making people feel comfortable. Many of his clients stayed with him for years, not just because he was a brilliant hairdresser, but because they enjoyed spending time with him.
John had a big personality and a contagious love for life. He was also famous for throwing legendary parties. If John was hosting an event, you knew it was going to be unforgettable. The one I’ll never forget was his 70th birthday in Taormina, Sicily, at the San Domenico five-star hotel! He knew how fussy I was with food and he went above and beyond to give me my own separate menu. As a joke, I had said: “Just give me spag bol and I’ll be happy,” and he did just that while his other guests enjoyed swordfish and veal!
The moments I remember most are the everyday ones, the chats at work and the laughs we shared, like when I presented him with an ‘Oscar’ for being Drama Queen of the Year! John was kind, talented, generous and full of life. I feel very lucky to have known him. He will be remembered with great fondness.
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