THE WORST CUT OF ALL SAVED A STYLIST'S LIFE; Hairdresser Alan Boyce's

Sunday Mirror, Jan 2, 2000 by UNA BRANKIN

IRELAND'S stylist to the stars, Alan Boyce, talks today for the first time of the cancer he beat and the incredible courage the battle gave him.

He was diagnosed with testicular cancer at 28 and underwent radical surgery in a desperate bid to survive.

Today he is fit and healthy and planning a family with his wife Caroline - but memories of his health scare still make him shudder.

Alan spent almost three months worrying about a lump he had discovered but was too frightened and embarrassed to do anything about it.

"I knew it could be cancer and I was too terrified to face the possibility," he said.

"I was 28 and was working really hard but I was stressed out and couldn't face the fact that I might have a disease that could kill me.

"I'd noticed a swelling in one of my testicles but I ignored it for three months hoping it would go away. But it started getting bigger and I knew I would have to face up to the problem eventually.

"But as well as being frightened, I was a bit embarrassed because of where the lump was, it's not the sort of thing you share with the lads.

"But eventually it got so bad that I told my mum about it. We're very close and she was able to make me get it checked out.

"When I was told the test results were positive, I was scared senseless. I was stunned.

"The doctor explained that the testicle would be removed by making an incision in my groin. The prospect was a nightmare but he said it was the only way to get rid of the cancer. He said I had no alternative.

"The fear I felt is impossible to describe but my mum and my sister were great support, we've always been very close. I wasn't married then and really leant on them to keep my spirits up. They were great.

"Hearing that I had cancer at 28 years of age brought me to reality with a bump. It made me realise that there was no point in worrying myself sick about everyday things the way I had been."

But the shocking news also gave Alan the courage to make the most of every moment.

And today, 10 years on, he can name Ronan Keating, Mel Gibson and Johnny Depp as just a few of the names who insist on having their hair styled by him when they jet into town.

But none of them know it was a terrifying health scare which pushed Alan to the top of his business and his resulting celebrity status.

They presume his huge success is a result of blind ambition - but he says that much of his success is a result of evaluating his life after facing the possibility of dying before he hit 30.

It changed his life forever and turned Alan into Ireland's Nicky Clarke.

Now, although he has an incredible client list, Alan is determined to keep his stress levels as low as possible - but he admits it's a battle.

He said: "I believe my cancer was something to do with being so stressed out. I'd taken on too much and was totally stressed trying to organise hairdressing shows in London while living in Belfast.

"I could feel tension welling up inside me all the time. People would comment on how anxious I looked, even at parties when I was meant to be having a good time.

"I used to sit by myself, thinking about all I had to do the next day and the next week. I couldn't relax and enjoy myself.

"My illness knocked me off my feet and at that time I thought 'screw it', and I decided that I was going to do all I could with this life."

It was a turning point for Alan. With the cancer finally diagnosed he was able to fight it and after the operation he gave himself enough time to recuperate, although much of it was spent mentally planning a new future.

"The cancer had been caught relatively early and thankfully I didn't need chemotherapy.

"I was also very relieved to learn that I'd still be able to have children one day.

"But my main priority after making sure I had my health, was to make a huge success of my hairdressing career. So far I have achieved every goal I set for myself.

"I was made Director of Toni&Guy in Ireland just over five years ago and I recently opened our Limerick salon, the fourth in the chain to date."

It is ten years since his cancer was diagnosed and today Alan is the toast of the Dublin fashion and showbiz elite and one of the most respected stylists in Ireland.

It's a long way from the early days in the East Belfast council estate where he grew up alongside the likes of terrorist Michael Stone before training to become a motor mechanic.

"I wanted something more out of life and was initially attracted to hairdressing for materialistic reasons.

"My girlfriend at the time worked for a salon owner and she always looked as if she was having a good time, fast cars, good clothes, good holidays. That appealed to me.

"What I didn't realise, of course was just how much hard work it would take to get me there and beyond.

"And I was able to work my way up from brushing up hair on the salon floor, to running Company Haircutters, one of the most successful hairdressers in Belfast.

"And apparently I was the first hairdresser in Northern Ireland to produce a high standard of photographic work, hair shows and seminars, collaborating with cutting edge stylists and hairdressing chains from the UK.