Celebrity hairdresser Trevor Sorbie has died aged 75 after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. He was known for cutting the hair of the rich and famous including Grace Jones, The Beach Boys and Dame Helen Mirren.
The hairdresser, who gained fame with the creation of the wedge cut in the 1970s, died “peacefully” with his family and beloved dog by his side after being diagnosed with bowel cancer, a statement from his team announced on Instagram on Friday.
A post on his social media accounts said: “It is with heartfelt emotion that we share the passing of our esteemed founder, Trevor Sorbie. Trevor passed away peacefully with his family and beloved dog by his side.
“Trevor’s journey, marked by unparalleled creativity and kindness, has left an indelible mark on the world of hairdressing and beyond.
“From pioneering The Wedge five decades ago to establishing our first salon in 1979, Trevor’s vision set new standards and continues to inspire generations.
“As we commemorate 45 years of Trevor Sorbie salons, we remain steadfast in upholding the passion, artistry, and dedication that he embodied.
“Trevor often reminded us to ‘be bold, be different, but always do everything in good taste’. His ethos of kindness, care, and excellence continues to guide us. He expressed immense pride in our team and confidence in our commitment to carrying forward his legacy.”
The award-winning stylist – who revealed he had been given weeks to live last month – previously set up the charity, My New Hair, to provide support to “a national network of independent salons and professionals who provide a wig styling service for people suffering from cancer and medical hair loss”.
A statement also said: “Honouring Trevor’s wishes, there will be no funeral. In lieu of flowers, we invite you to support four charities: Marie Curie, Cancer Research UK, Rowans Hospice and My New Hair, all close to his heart.
“We also plan to celebrate his remarkable life and contributions with a special event next year and will share details in due course.”
In 1979, he opened the first Trevor Sorbie salon in Covent Garden, London, with the company going on to open locations in Brighton, Bristol, Hampstead, Manchester and Richmond.
Sorbie was a four-time British Hairdresser of the Year winner and his methods helped to transform the world of hairdressing through trend-setting styles such as the wolf man, sculpture, and the wave – and a fast-drying process called the scrunch.
He garnered increased public attention thanks to various broadcast appearances including This Morning, The Wright Stuff, GMTV and Mary Queen Of Shops.
He also appeared on Channel 4 programme Faking It, where a professional would show a novice how to excel in their field, as a mentor along with TV chef Gordon Ramsay.
In 2004, he was made an MBE by Queen Elizabeth II.
Sorbie revealed the extent of his bowel cancer in October 2024 during an appearance on ITV’s This Morning.
He said he was told in June 2024 that he had “maybe six” months to live, after the cancer spread to his liver and he underwent a six-and-a-half-hour operation to remove sections of it.
In October, he said that his surgeon would no longer operate as it was too close to a major blood vessel.