Ian Sandbach in the 80s

Jo Hoskinson remembers that around the time her brother Ian got to puberty 'Neighbours' was very popular, and girls often commented on his similarity to hearthrob Jason Donovan. Once this was brought to his attention Ian found it hard to resist mirrors, and his hair and outfits changed. "He saw himself as a rather pretty yet very male 'catch' really".

Ian acknowledges that everyone needs a hobby, and that he's always been a bit obsessive, and for a while the most important thing in the world for him was being successful with the opposite sex.

When Ian was about 15 or 16 he had a serious hair phase, Jo remembers, related to various pop bands such as ABC that were popular at the time. "Ian's hair became increasingly blonde (he denied that there was any chemical assistance) and he had one of those hot crimper things that looked as though it might make waffles. He also used alot of hair gel. My father had a pharmacy but he refused Ian access to hair gels and brylcreem...my father pleaded that his profit margins couldn't stand it anymore".

Ian resorted to sugar solutions which resulted, with the hair flicking that went on, in mould growing on the bathroom ceiling. Sugar was banned from the house, so Ian resorted to custard powder. Ian remembers "You always had to be careful of the prevailing weather conditions, because obviously if it was raining it could create some embarrassment". Ian recalls that custard powder was excellent for obtaining just that bit of extra stiffness.

Jo was training to be a solicitor at the time, and Ian's outfits could be quite shocking, so his flouncing dramatically into the room in a peach 'duster' coat, pointy-toed boots and custard-coloured hair was not always welcome. Jo feels that Ian hasn't entirely left his old habits behind, though he's now an accountant married with two children. "He'll sit down in the kitchen and check how he looks in the mirrored front of the cooker, stand next to cars and check he looks alright. He sends me photos in case I'd like to use any of them as screensavers".