Mirror, mirror... artist Kieran is having a ball

There was a time when a glitterball was the realm of a cheesy Seventies disco. And then came the Strictly Come Dancing glitterball trophy. Now, thanks to a craze partly driven by social media, celebrities are queuing up for the creations by artist and sign writer Kieran Hadley.

- by Catherine Scott

Having made a glitterball, or mirrorball as they are also known, for superstar Kylie Minogue earlier this year, Kieran, a former teacher and Leeds Arts University graduate, has just completed one for Katy Perry for her current Lifetimes Tour.

"I was asked by the promoters of Kylie's tour to make a mirrorball for her," says Leeds-based Kieran. "They had an idea what they wanted but I just knew it wouldn't work mainly due to the shape of the mirrorball. I was worried I had done myself out of a job but I came up with something else and they came back a few days later and said they loved it - and apparently so did Kylie."

Kieran was a secondary school English teacher for 12 years in East Leeds during which time he did a Masters at Leeds Arts University. Through that he "accidently" fell into sign painting and then “jumped ship" to become a full-time sign painter, becoming known for his use of gold leaf.

Then one day he was approached by the owners of Roller Girl in the Corn Exchange and asked if he could paint a mirrorball for them.