"Apparently I tick a lot of the metrosexual boxes: face moisturiser, eye cream, paying more than £20 for a haircut, shopping for clothes and wearing pink shirts for work," he said.

"The face moisturiser came about during university when, in an attempt to reduce the long-term effects of late nights, I took a friend's advice and invested in some Nivea for Men.

"The eye moisturiser came from my sister after she said when I laughed wrinkles formed around my eyes. That was two years ago and the creams are now a necessity - they really do work.

"The expensive haircuts were a matter of progression. My current cut is £26 at Crown and worth every penny.

"Shopping is something which, no longer having a girlfriend, I now have to do for myself. And, in keeping with metrosexual tendencies, I do enjoy it.

"Despite all the above, I have a strong Geordie accent, enjoy all-day drinking sessions, eat saveloy and pease pudding stotties and I'm known by name in my local greasy spoon.

"Metrosexuality is not something to be scared of; it's just a sign of men taking pride in their appearance."