A HAIRDRESSER from Weymouth received the surprise of his life when celebrity survivalist and TV presenter Ray Mears arrived at his salon for an appointment as part of a heartwarming set-up by BBC's The One Show.

Stephen Bithell, who works at Pure salon in St Mary Street, appeared on the prime time TV show after he was nominated to receive an extra special 'thank you' for lifting the spirits of hundreds of people during lockdown.

As previously reported, Mr Bithell, a trained artist, has been painting beautiful watercolour postcards of Dorset landscapes and posting them to people all over the world to raise smiles.

After being contacted by some of grateful recipients, the One Show arranged for Stephen's lifelong hero Ray Mears to surprise him at the salon - with Mr Mears telling the Echo afterwards that it had been a privilege to meet him.

Dorset Echo: Hidden cameras were placed in the salon to capture the 'appointment' as part of the elaborate set up Picture: BBCHidden cameras were placed in the salon to capture the 'appointment' as part of the elaborate set up Picture: BBC

After appearing on the ‘One Big Thank You’ segment of the show, Weymouth man Stephen said: "My tear ducts hurt - I got quite emotional - I'm not used to all the attention. It took me totally by surprise and at one point I could have bolted and ran.

"Initially I thought he must have been filming in the area. When he pulled one of my postcards out I, the penny dropped - my initial response after the shock was that I didn't do it for any sort of reward.

"I just send the cards because I want to put a smile on people's faces."

Dorset Echo: An emotional Steve was applauded by wellwishers gathered in the street outside the salonAn emotional Steve was applauded by wellwishers gathered in the street outside the salon

His reaction was captured on secret cameras before Stephen was taken out to the street where some of the people who had received his stunning postcards had gathered.

A giant TV screen on a truck arrived, with One Show presenters Alex Jones and Amol Rajan appearing via video link as messages of thanks were beamed from around the world.

Dorset Echo: Traffic was stopped so the giant screen could be brought inTraffic was stopped so the giant screen could be brought in

Speaking after the show was broadcast, Ray Mears said: "Steve is incredibly talented as an artist - it brings a lump to my throat just thinking about it now - it's such a simple thing, but he reached out and touched so many people. It's very special.

READ MORE: Lavish contents of one of Britain's most beautiful stately homes go up for auction

"We see all the time politicians who award their cronies with decorations and titles and actually the ordinary, genuinely deserving heroes in society get no recognition. So it was a fabulous thing to be involved with. 

Dorset Echo: The stunt was part of the One Big Thankyou segment on the One Show Picture: BBCThe stunt was part of the One Big Thankyou segment on the One Show Picture: BBC

"In television there aren't many opportunities for us to be involved in something as special as that.

"It was so genuine and all the people who were there were so pleased to be able to thank him. It just shows you how one person can make a difference."

Dorset Echo: Talented Steve paints beautiful Dorset landscapes to surprise people during lockdown - but last week he got the surprise of his life from Ray Mears and the BBCTalented Steve paints beautiful Dorset landscapes to surprise people during lockdown - but last week he got the surprise of his life from Ray Mears and the BBC

The pair had previously met in Poole, when Ray was doing a talk about bush crafting, and signed a sketchbook of Stephen's art.

"He signed the back of the book - he didn't want to impose his autograph in the middle of the pages. That sums up who he is - a very gracious, humble and gentle man, the true definition of a gentleman," Stephen said.