A SOAP star beauty proved to be a big attraction as fans flocked to see her reopen a Basingstoke salon.

Jennifer Metcalfe, who plays Mercedes in long-running series Hollyoaks, came to town to officially reopen Shear Beauty, in Festival Place, following its refurbishment.

The 29-year-old hit the headlines late last year after her split with Sylvain Longchambon, her dancing partner on the celebrity ice-skating show Dancing on Ice. The French skater is now dating his partner in the latest series, Coronation Street actress Samia Ghadie.

But it was all smiles in Festival Place from Jennifer, who cut a ribbon at the entrance of the store before posing for photographs and chatting with shoppers.

She said: “I think the salon looks fantastic. I like to visit salons and I would love to have somewhere like this in Liverpool.”

Among those in the crowd was Emma Burgess, of Worting Road, Buckskin, Basingstoke, who was at the counter trying to buy a hair product for her son when Jennifer approached. The actress pretended to serve the 35-year-old as they posed for photographs.

Emma said: “She was really nice. She said she had been smiling all the time and was talking about all the boys who were waiting outside the shop.”

Sarah Tomblin, 46, of Bow Drive, Sherfield-on-Loddon, said: “She looks very good. I saw her on Come Dine with Me, and she seems to have a wonderful personality.”

The store closed at Christmas for the three-week refurbishment, which has seen the addition of a nail bar and a tanning room, as well as more hair and beauty products. It has also created three more jobs, to bring the total workforce up to 18.