ROBBIE Williams has spoken of his ‘profound sadness’ following the death of hairdresser Aaron Vickers.

A statement released last night read: “Robbie Williams would like to express his profound sadness at the news of Aaron Vickers’ death, and sends his deepest condolences to Aaron’s partner, his family and his friends.

“Robbie did allow Aaron and his partner to stay in a property on his estate for a period of two months this spring.

“However, Aaron was not employed by Robbie as his hairdresser and their acquaintance came about through mutual friends Jonathan and Nikki Wilkes.”

The 25-year-old’s body was found hanging from a tree in a wood just off of Cassini Drive, in Oakhurst.

Shocked former colleagues also paid tribute to Aaron yesterday. Tracy Goldworthy, partner at Goldworthy’s Hairdressing, in Catherine Street, first met a 16-year-old Aaron after he sauntered across her car park and into her shop – brazenly asking for a job.

After she ‘jumped at the opportunity’ to hire a man, in a female dominated industry, Aaron quickly learned the ropes in her training academy - before moving onto ply his trade in London.

She said: “He was fresh out of school and was keen to start doing hair. He had no skills but you can always tell when someone has creativity and he definitely had it.”

The Oakhurst resident who lived alongside Robbie Williams on his £7m Compton Bassett property for a time was found at 8am Tuesday morning by a 16-year-old on her way to work.

Tracy added: “He was an outrageous and larger than life character. You get lots of girls in this industry but when a man comes in wanting a job you take notice because there are not a lot of them doing it.

“Aaron brought a new dimension to the shop and took part in our training.

“He was such a big character, all the older ladies loved him and would just grab him upon seeing him.”

She added: “We were all devastated when we saw the paper. I just felt dumbfounded. It is such a waste of talent and personality.

“I just saw him at an award ceremony and I used to see him walking his little dog all the time. He was just so friendly to everyone, so sad.”

Samantha Goodheart, paying tribute on the Adver website, wrote: “I just heard the devastating news, am shocked and saddened.”

Another friend named Mark, from Exeter wrote: “I was lucky enough to have met Aaron many years ago so this morning when a friend contacted me and told me the sad news I was totally stunned.

“I saw him again recently and it was so nice to see him again with his big beaming smile, we chatted for a while and went our separate ways.

“My thoughts are with his partner and family. Aaron will be greatly missed.”

A spokeswoman for the coroner’s office said the inquest would open today or tomorrow, so the family can have a funeral. The inquest is expected to take place in about three months.