Prepare for a hilarious and slightly hair-raising peek behind the curtain of Coronation Street! In a recent candid revelation, the ever-entertaining Jack P. Shepherd, the actor who has masterfully portrayed the iconic David Platt for two decades, has shared a near-disastrous blunder that occurred on the ITV soap’s bustling set. The incident involved a pair of real scissors and a moment of sheer panic that nearly resulted in an unplanned and rather dramatic haircut for one of his fellow co-stars.

During a recent episode of his engaging “On the Sofa” podcast, Shepherd, reflecting on his character’s long-standing profession as a Weatherfield hairdresser, mused about his acquired skill in the art of simulated hair cutting. “David first started cutting hair at the age of 17, which would mean I’ve been cutting hair for 20 years,” he quipped, highlighting the longevity of his character’s tonsorial expertise. This familiarity with the tools of the trade, however, almost led to a real-life snip that could have had some rather amusing, albeit problematic, consequences.

Shepherd explained the practicalities of filming hairdressing scenes, revealing that the scissors used are not props, but rather the genuine article. “He shared their real scissors because they’re scissors from whichever makeup artist or supervisor is on that unit. So, they just give me their scissors that are out of their bag.” This reliance on real, sharp implements for the sake of on-screen realism naturally carries a certain degree of inherent risk.

He then went on to describe his usual technique for creating the illusion of cutting hair. “Usually, I go to the back of the person of whoever is there. I take a section and go all the way down the hair using two fingers with the hair in there. And I almost almost hit the hair, but I don’t.” Shepherd’s meticulous explanation underscores the precision and care required to convincingly portray a hairdresser without actually altering anyone’s hairstyle. He emphasized his own flawless record, stating that he has never personally made a slip-up during these delicate scenes.

However, the same cannot be said for one of his esteemed co-stars. Shepherd then recounted a moment of sheer filming chaos involving Samia Longchambon, who brilliantly plays the role of Maria Windass, and Kate Ford, the talented actress behind the formidable Tracy Barlow. In a revelation that is sure to elicit a chuckle from Coronation Street aficionados, Shepherd described a near-miss that brought filming to an abrupt halt, all thanks to Maria’s slightly overzealous approach to a simulated haircut.

“Samia nearly cut Kate Ford’s fringe off,” Shepherd revealed, the image of the near-disaster undoubtedly vivid in his mind. “She got her full fringe in her fingers, and she almost went down.” The mental picture of Maria wielding real scissors perilously close to Tracy’s iconic fringe is both comical and slightly alarming. One can only imagine the collective gasp on set as this potential follicular faux pas unfolded.

Shepherd then described Kate Ford’s understandably swift reaction to the impending haircut. “Kate stopped the take and went, ‘Samia, Samia, wait, what are you doing?'” Ford’s immediate intervention undoubtedly averted a potentially hilarious but continuity-nightmare-inducing situation. The thought of Tracy Barlow suddenly sporting an uneven or drastically shortened fringe due to a behind-the-scenes blunder is certainly a scenario that would have sent ripples of amusement (and perhaps a few panicked calls to the hair and makeup department) through the Coronation Street fandom.

This anecdote provides a delightful glimpse into the sometimes unpredictable and often humorous moments that occur behind the polished facade of our favourite soap operas. It highlights the trust and camaraderie that exists between the actors, as well as the potential for unexpected mishaps when real props meet the fast-paced environment of a television set.

Interestingly, Shepherd’s revelation comes hot on the heels of his recent triumph in the highly publicized “Celebrity Big Brother 2025” series, where he was crowned the winner, beating out a strong lineup of fellow personalities. Reflecting on his unexpected victory, Shepherd shared his genuine surprise and humility. “I can’t believe it. I’m blown away. I didn’t expect it,” he admitted, adding with a touch of self-deprecating humour, “I thought I was a shoe-in for maybe fifth.”

He further elaborated on his initial low expectations and his gradual realization of public support. “As people were disappearing, I thought, ‘Surely not.’ I just figured that I might annoy a few people and they might not quite know how to work me out. And then after a while, they changed opinions. And yeah, I guess I was liked by the end.”

While Shepherd’s “Celebrity Big Brother” win showcases his public appeal and engaging personality, his behind-the-scenes story about the near-haircut on the Coronation Street set offers a more intimate and humorous glimpse into the daily realities of filming the beloved soap. It’s a reminder that even amidst the drama and storylines that captivate millions, there are often moments of levity and near-misses that add an extra layer of colour to the production process.

So, the next time you watch David Platt expertly wielding his scissors in Audrey’s salon, spare a thought for the real-life potential for follicular mishaps on the Coronation Street set. And perhaps, keep an eye out for any future scenes involving Maria and scissors – you never know when a little behind-the-scenes tension might just add an extra, unintended layer of drama to the on-screen action! Jack P. Shepherd’s candid revelation serves as a delightful reminder that even in the well-oiled machine of a long-running soap opera, human error and humorous near-disasters are never too far away.