Sharp suits, sharp tongues and sharp scissors are required for a place in the latest reality TV show.

Celebrity hairdresser Lee Stafford is recruiting staff to work at the cutting edge of the business at his new Brighton salon.

Lee is looking for hairdressers and "random funky souls" to run the Crop Idol premises, due to open in North Street in early May.

Prospective employees will have to sit through an interview and audition in front of TV cameras.

Living TV is making a 15-part prime-time docusoap series called The Hairdresser, aimed at giving viewers an insight into Lee's "rock 'n' roll lifestyle as a heterosexual hairdresser".

Central to the show is recruitment for the new salon.

Lee will audition stylists, assistants and receptionists.

When it comes to choosing his 30-strong Brighton staff, Lee is looking for personality as much as qualifications.

His publicity blurb says: "We are looking for hairdressers and random funky souls who have a general working background.

"For example, a waitress goes for customer care or a nurse who wants a career change switches to front-of-house manager."

Living TV says Lee's tight deadlines, killer cuts, fashion shoots and nights out will make compulsive viewing.

Best known as the fast-talking Cockney on ITV's This Morning show, he counts model Jodie Kidd and singers Rachel Stevens and Avril Lavigne among his customers.

Originally coy about revealing his celebrity client list, he now hopes to involve some in the TV programme.

Among other famous locks he cuts are those of Sophie Anderton, Billie Piper, Katie Derham, Fern Britton and members of Sister Bliss.

Lee, who started cutting hair in his mother's living room, now owns two other salons in Soho, London, and Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.

Auditions and interviews for jobs at Crop Idol will be held on Sunday, March 28, at 169 North Street, Brighton, starting at 9am.