ONE of the biggest stars in world cricket, former Somerset legend Chris Gayle, will be turning out for a new team this year – as business partner of Minehead hairdresser Dan James.

Now a 50 per cent owner of Dan’s ‘Mr SE Haircare’ brand of men’s hair preparations, Chris has been a key figure in launching a new range of products which are hitting the shops this month.

“I’m really proud to be working with Chris,” said Dan, who also runs the Something Else hair salon. “It’s amazing that he wants to be involved with a small business in Minehead and take an active part in it.

“Already, having one of the world’s greatest batsmen on board is opening any number of new doors – he’s really pushing the brand and the sky’s the limit for the future.”

The self-styled “Universe Boss”, now 40 but still drawing the crowds in international one-day cricket, is the West Indies’ most capped player and hailed as the greatest-ever T20 batsman.

Chris played for Somerset in the 2015 and 2016 NatWest T20 Blast series, scoring 328 runs on his first three appearances, including 29 sixes.

After one of these thrilling performances, cricket enthusiast Dan sent Chris some samples of his Mr SE products: “He liked the beard oil – he’s been using it ever since – and we met up and got on really well,” Dan remembered.

“He became really interested in what we were doing and that eventually led to him becoming a 50 per cent partner. We worked together on the new launch and he had some valuable input.

“Now we’re talking and meeting regularly as we plan the next stage of the company’s progress.”

One of the latest outlets for the Mr SE Haircare products is the sports shop at Somerset CC’s Taunton County Ground.