Peston beats Becks in hair stakes

Robyn Rosen

DAVID Beckham, Daniel Craig and Brad Pitt have been swept aside in this year's best celebrity haircut competition, with Muswell Hill economist, Robert Peston topping the table.

A survey, by hair replacement procedure company, Optima Hair Specialists, found that 26 per cent of the 1,200 British men surveyed who suffered hair loss voted Mr Peston, the BBC's business editor, as having the best barnet.

And his hairdresser, David Barron, believes he knows the success behind Mr Peston's luscious locks.

Mr Barron, who runs Barrons Hairdressing in Muswell Hill Broadway, styles Mr Peston's hair every four weeks.

"Robert is a very smart guy, both in dress and mind," Mr Barron said. "He is very down to earth and likes his hair to be short and sharp.

"He also likes it edgy and contemporary and uses products I recommend.

"He is the man that a lot of people are turning to to unravel the complicated business of the credit situation and people respect him for this.

"Instead of looking towards the usual media types like footballers and film people, this shows that people also respect those on an academic level and I think that's what swung it for him."

While Mr Peston, 49, a former Highgate Wood pupil, reached the top spot, celebrities including Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand were voted as having the worst haircuts.

Peter Murtha, founder of Optima, said: "Men are realising that they don't have to look like Brad Pitt or George Clooney to be attractive and that a lot of women find brains sexier than brawn alone.

"It explains why more and more of our male customers are requesting conservative hairstyles, like Robert Peston's, to portray an air of intellect.

"The research shows that, as the recession continues to bite, men are seeking a more traditional and professional look.

"They're not interested in looking like Hollywood hunks and would prefer instead to remain conservative for the sake of their careers.