LONDON // With ten days to go before the most important UK vote for decades, what is the question taxing the minds of the British chattering classes? Is it about what happens to the economy, or the effect of Britain’s verdict on the other member states? No. The hot topic on the political chat shows on TV on Sunday was: is Boris Johnson’s hair all that it seems?
In an interview published on Sunday, the former London mayor who is now leading the campaign for Britain to leave the EU admitted that he owes his crowning glory to hair dye.
Johnson, 51, first told the Sunday Times that his distinctive golden hair was “the real thing, it’s all natural.” But when asked if he dyed it, he replied, “Yes.”
He later claimed he was joking, saying “I do remember saying ‘yes’ in what was a satirical voice. I remember thinking ‘God I hope he doesn’t take that seriously.’ ”
Whether natural or out of a bottle, that dishevelled custard-yellow mop has served Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson — to give him his full name — very well in his career, making him one of the most recognisable and popular figures in British politics. His habit of ruffling his hair coupled with his bumbling manner and comic wit have endeared him to many and make stand him stand out among a sea of identikit men in suits.
He is tipped as one of the favourites to take over the Conservative Party from prime minister David Cameron if Britain votes to leave the EU in the referendum on June 23. However, when asked about his chances of becoming leader he answered in typical Boris fashion, saying he stood “about as much chance as of being reincarnated as an olive.”
Johnson’s hair revelations on Sunday instantly became a talking point on TV and on social media. His younger sister, Rachel, who is a journalist and well-known media personality, said on Twitter, “ “The Boris hair dye reveal is a massive headline-grabbing wind-up. All Johnsons are natural blondes!”
The official comment from Johnson’s spokesman was, “ Of course Boris doesn’t dye his hair.”
* Reuters