IT'S a gripe every parent has heard from their children at one time or another, why do you always get to tell me what to do and never the other way around?
When 11-year-old Euan Farrell moaned about the way of the world to his father Hugh, Farrell snr might have done well to think twice before answering.
For 51-year-old Hugh decided to offer Euan a deal.
"You can tell me what to do and control one
part of my life if you agree to help more about the house," he told the St Mary's School pupil.
The mischievous boy decided that it was time his dad grew a beard – but not just any beard.
Over the next five months Euan persuaded his dad to style it in a series of ever more eccentric styles, including Salvor Dali-inspired curls and bright orange goatee like Billy Connolly.
Hugh, of Seafield Road, a mature student studying screenwriting at Napier University, said: "I looked like an idiot for four or five months. When I gave Euan control of my beard I thought he'd only last a month and lose interest, but he kept it going. Whenever I told my friends what I was doing they looked at me like I was mad."
Not only did Hugh have to endure the jibes of his friends and colleagues, his son filmed the entire process. The resulting film has now been shortlisted from more than 500 entries for this year's Children's BAFTA Awards.
• Click here to watch the filmYesterday, Hugh's humiliation was complete when a Blue Peter film crew turned up and offered to screen the film to millions of BBC viewers.
Euan said: "Making the film was brilliant, and I was really proud of it when I was finished. I had to some extra hoovering and tidying up but it was all worth it.
"After a month, my dad offered me £5 to shave it off, but I said no. After three months he offered me £20 and I still said no.
"He even tried to sneakily shave it off himself but I caught him. If he wanted a shave I had to do it because I had the power. I was in charge."
Eventually, Euan's mum Cathy, 49, director of the Children's Parliament, put her foot down and the beard came off. She said: "Hugh had to go out in public with it in all states. There's only so long a partner can stand it."
Euan's film was selected for the BAFTA's final four by a jury chaired by veteran children's television show maker Jocelyn Stevenson, whose credits include Seseme Street, Fraggle Rock and Bob the Builder.
Jocelyn, current creative director of TT Animation, said: "The jury judged the films on originality and creativity, strength of storytelling and technical competency. Euan's warm and funny tale of gaining control of his dad's beard scored high in all categories. You have to see it to believe it."
The winner of the award will be announced at the BAFTA Children's Awards ceremony in London on November 30.
