An 84-year-old Samaritan who uses text messages and email to lend a comforting presence to people in distress has been nominated as an unsung hero.

Dick, from Surbiton – Samaritans use only first names – has volunteered at the St Andrew’s Road centre since it opened 45 years ago. He manned the phones for many years before switching to text-based contact with people who needed his help. And he said the support of fellow volunteers was valuable after talking with callers.

A Tolworth barber who became a YouTube sensation will be taking his whole troupe to the stage this summer.