A HAIR stylist travelled to the Houses of Parliament to read out his remarkable story in front of an award-winning actor and other budding writers.

David Clancy garnered national attention in January after penning an article in the New Statesman about how the Barrow hairdresser reclaimed his school bullies' nickname.

After the article was published, the 50-year-old was thrust into the spotlight, appearing on BBC News and GB News with Eamonn Holmes, to explain the remarkable story behind his Ulverston salon, 'Nancy Clancy'.

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Mr Clancy was labelled 'Nancy Clancy' by tormentors at his Barrow school as a child.

While rarely seen or heard nowadays, 'Nancy' was a derogatory term to suggest effeminate traits in men and boys.

Decades later, Mr Clancy said he was proud to have reclaimed the nickname, which glows in neon pink letters at the front of his salon in Upper Brook Street, Ulverston.

As well as running his town centre salon, Mr Clancy is also part of the creative writing project 'Margins to Mainstream' co-founded by critically-acclaimed actor Michael Sheen.

The project spotlights 11 new writers from under-represented backgrounds on a journey to reveal truths from the margins of society.

The writers were invited to an event at the Houses of Parliament to read out their work aloud in front of Michael and literary agents.

Mr Clancy -who read out his famed Nancy Clancy article - described the day as a ‘positive experience’ – and exchanged words with Michael during the event.

He said: “It was a really positive response from people in the audience.

“I was the last one to read it out. I was very nervous. I got a few business cards after and lots to follow up on.

“Michael was there. He came over to me and sat next to me and was really encouraging. That was quite nice.

“I mentioned to him about him selling his houses to help kids from Wales go to Oxford and Cambridge and he said he didn’t want money to get in the way of their opportunities.

“We also had a discussion about whether gay actors should play gay roles. He was really lovely to talk to.”

Michael also read out Mr Clancy’s article at the Royal College of Music and Drama in Wales which is now available to listen to on the sixth episode of the 'Margins to Mainstream' podcast on BBC Sounds.

“It was amazing to have him read it out on the podcast,” Mr Clancy said.

“I actually burst into tears when I heard the first line. I found it so emotional, I felt very validated.

“It’s given me confidence with my work. I never thought it would go this big. It became something on its own.”