Salon owner Stephen Trowles, of Stephen John in Bury St Edmunds, appears on BBC’s The One Show

Residents have shared their admiration and support for a popular salon owner who was featured on BBC’s The One Show last night.

Stephen Trowles, 50, the owner of Stephen John Salon in Lawson Place, Moreton Hall, Bury St Edmunds, was honoured as the show’s ‘Person of the Week’ after being visited by presenter Jeff Brazier last week.

Last night’s episode highlighted Stephen's work with My WiSH Charity, specifically his initiative called ‘Mama B’ days which offers free treatments to cancer patients at the salon with the help of volunteers.

Beth Gutierrez, who lives on Moreton Hall, began visiting the salon soon after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022.

She said: “I remember I felt so nervous when I first walked in - but Steve made me feel so safe, I told him my story and he just put his arm around me and comforted me when I needed it the most.

“From that moment, I knew I had met someone really special and I’m so proud of Steve.

“He does all this out of the pure love and kindness in his heart and deserves to be recognised for all that he does.

“I think I’m watched the clip about six times now - he’s an amazing man and I consider myself lucky to know him.”

Stephen, who is better known as Steve, was inspired to start Mama B’s after his mother, Brenda Avison, died in 2016 just 12 weeks after her cancer diagnosis.

During the show, he opened up about how this loss motivated him to support others.

He said: “It’s just about bringing these women together, meeting each other and sharing stories.

“I pull strength from them - I watch so many women in such a vulnerable state, and being able to pull the strength from them I think has helped me through my own grief.”

Steve has helped to raise more than £36,000 for My WiSH Charity and has worked with the cancer unit at West Suffolk Hospital for more than a decade.

Katharine Corbett said: “Well done Steve - you are amazing.”

Carol Drury said: “Congratulations Steve. So very well deserved recognition.”

Gail Farrow added: “I watched it, absolutely amazing, well done Stephen.”

You can re-watch the show on BBC iPlayer by clicking here.

Mama B’s is held on the first Monday of each month at Stephen John Salon.