The film has now reached international audiences. How does that feel? Honestly it still feels surreal. The film premièred at Raindance Film Festival, where it was nominated for Best Documentary and Best Cinematography. That gave it incredible momentum. Since then it’ s been selected for festivals around the world including the Beverly Hills Film Festival, where the film will screen at the iconic Chinese Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard. When Tim and I set off on that walk, the idea that it would eventually lead to a film screening in Hollywood would have sounded ridiculous. But it shows what can happen when real stories connect with people.
Alongside film-making, you’ ve also built a strong acting career. Acting has been a huge part of my journey. I’ ve had the privilege of working on some fantastic productions including Jimmy McGovern’ s BBC drama Unforgivable and the major crime series This City Is Ours. I’ ve also worked on productions including MobLand. But what people don’ t always see is the years behind that. Acting can be a brutal industry. There are long periods of rejection and uncertainty. You have to keep believing in yourself even when nothing seems to be happening.
Is that what pushed you into producing? Exactly. As actors we spend a lot of time waiting for someone to give us an opportunity. At some point I realised I didn’ t want to just sit around waiting for someone to give me a break. I decided I would create my own break. That’ s what led me into producing and launching my production company Progress Pictures. The documentary was the first major project, but we now have two very exciting projects currently in pre-production that are building real momentum. For me it’ s about telling authentic stories and creating opportunities not just for myself but for other creatives as well.
You’ re also bringing your past and present together with a new theatre production. Yes— I’ m currently writing, producing and acting in a stage play called Short Back and Sides, which will open at the Epstein Theatre in March 2027. It’ s very personal to me because it brings together my two worlds— my life as a barber and my life in the creative industry. The play is set inside a Liverpool barbershop and explores the humour, the characters and the conversations that happen in places like that every day. Barbershops are incredible spaces where people open up about life. My hope is to create something meaningful, funny and authentic that audiences will recognise instantly.
Family clearly plays a big role in your life. Family is everything. I’ ve got three amazing daughters and I’ ve been blessed with a little boy on the way who’ s due on 7th April. Becoming a father again feels like an incredible gift. I now live in Heswall, and it feels like a new chapter for all of us.
Looking back at your journey— barber, actor, comedian, filmmaker— what does it mean to you now? When I look back it’ s been a long road. I came from humble beginnings and nothing has been handed to me. I’ ve had to take risks, make mistakes and keep pushing forward even when things felt uncertain. I’ ve had struggles, doubts and plenty of setbacks along the way. But those experiences are also what shape you. If there’ s one thing my journey shows, it’ s that life doesn’ t have to stay the way it starts. If you’ re willing to put the graft in and take a leap of faith, your story can completely change. And for me, it still feels like the journey is only just getting started. wirrallife. com 25