Zen Terrelonge | On May 6, 2017

Would you rather give up beer or go grey? A strange question perhaps, but one that has indeed been posed to men of the UK.

According to a study from Just for Men Control GX has found 20 per cent of blokes nationwide fear going grey – even if it does work for Phillip Schofield.

Given that worry about losing hair hue, 1.1 million men have shaved their head to avoid the grey look.

Quizzed what they would swap to retain the colour of their locks, 17 per cent (4.2 million) men would give up beer for a whole year.

I’ve got to say I’d give up beer too – because I don’t drink it – but if it’s a choice between keeping cider and amaretto on the cards or maintaining my natural hair, you can colour me Sisqo.

Other sacrifices men would make to avoid stepping into silver fox territory saw 14 percent agree they’d put an end to their football team winning for a third of the season, while five percent (1.2 million) of men would give up sex for a year to avoid going grey.

“Concern is rife among 25-34 year olds as 42 percent worry about finding that first bit of grey hair”

“These findings are no surprise to me. From speaking to men in the salon, it’s pretty clear that going grey causes them a lot of anxiety,” revealed Alan Beak, head barber at Ruger barbers in Greater Manchester.

“In some instances, men are even fretting more about finding their first grey hair than over their jobs or relationships.”

Concern is rife among 25-34 year olds as 42 percent worry about finding that first bit of grey hair, which the report suggests could be down to stress.

The age group’s top reasons for worrying include feeling old, as cited by 35 percent, while 23 percent fear their partner will find them less attractive.

On a regional level, Londoners are more likely to worry about their level of attractiveness than those in Birmingham and Manchester, with 11 percent, 5.5 percent and 4.3 percent respectively.

And for general apprehension about going grey, men in Liverpool have the most dread compared to the care-free gentlemen of Nottingham, at 31 percent and 11 percent comparatively.

The study found men are likely to share concerns to their barbers than friends, and 46 percent would reach for a bottle of dye.

If the latter is a preferred option, Beak added that dye can be used in place of their normal shampoo, effectively keeping the grooming regime as it is.