Nicky Clarke

Nicky Clarke is an English hair stylist and media personality who has appeared on several television shows. He closed his salon in 2022.

Early life and education Clarke grew up in a working-class family and lived in a council flat in London. His mother was a Greek immigrant who met his father when he was stationed in Greece during the war.

After retiring from gymnastics owing to injury, in 2003 former England champion gymnast Craig Pellowe started a new career as a hair stylist in Clarke's salon.

Media appearances Clarke has appeared on several TV shows. In 2002, Clarke was a guest panelist on Will Self's team for an episode of Shooting Stars; his team went on to win that episode. Clarke was also a member of "Team Dec" in Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway. He appeared on Celebrity Come Dine with Me on Channel 4 on 14 November 2008 and as a judge on the final of Celebrity Scissorhands. In 2011, he took part in ITV series 71 Degrees North but was the first to be eliminated. In January 2014, he took part in the Channel 4 series The Jump. In 2016, he was a contestant on Pointless Celebrities, the celebrity edition of the British quiz show Pointless, with fellow celebrity hairstylist Lee Stafford.

Recognition and honours Clarke was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2007 Birthday Honours for services to the hairdressing industry.

Personal life Nicky married Lesley and they had two children. They separated in 1997 but continued to work together as business partners. In 2021, Clarke married his long-term partner Kelly Simpkin, whom he met in 2010 when she was a stylist working for him. The couple have two children together.