April 2009: The tables were turned on popular paparazzo Darryn Lyons last week as he found himself on the other side of the lens during a visit to Jason Shankey’s male grooming salon on the Lisburn Road.

The paparazzo photographer and media celebrity, who is a regular feature on programmes such as GMTV, was spotted popping into the salon for some R and R from Jason and his team just ahead of the recent Fate Awards in Belfast.

However, it proved a bit of a ‘close shave’ for Australian born Darryn, as his flight was delayed leaving him running late for the awards ceremony which was hosted in the Waterfront Hall.

Darryn who has ‘papped’ everyone from Brad and Angelina and the Beckhams to the Royal family, still managed however to find just enough time to enjoy his first ever ‘cut throat’ shave courtesy of Jason Shankey himself.

“Darryn admitted he was a little scared and intimidated at first by the razor, having been traumatised as a child by a cartoon back home in Oz, in which he saw a barber slit a cartoon character’s throat,” revealed Jason.

Having convinced the snapper that he was no Sweeny Todd, Jason says Darryn finally relaxed and enjoyed the experience which was topped off with a sports’ massage.

“He was a true gentleman who admitted he wasn’t used to such grooming treats, but he really enjoyed the whole experience,” said Jason later.

Snappy Days: Austrailian snapper Darryn Lyons.