Fickle Berlusconi hairline fuels media flap

Rome: It is the question that has got everyone in Italy scratching their heads — just what is going on with Silvio Berlusconi's hair?

Photographs taken recently of the 73-year-old prime minister seem to show him with a good head of hair one day but then visibly thinner a couple of days later.

A further two days on and his thatch has mysteriously reappeared.

The media tycoon had a hair transplant in 2004 — days before he was pictured with Tony and Cherie Blair when they holidayed at his Sardinian villa. Much to the embarrassment of the Blairs, Berlusconi appeared with them wearing a black and white bandanna to protect his scalp from the sun.

On Friday, Italian newspapers printed a series of photos showing his changing hairline. La Repubblica said his hair had "undergone an amazing mutation".

It added that after appearing at a wedding "with his traditional head of hair", two days later his hairline "appeared inexplicably higher and thinner".

"But have no fear: At a ceremony on Wednesday it was back to its luxuriant thick foliage."

One Italian commentator said: "Berlusconi takes great pride in his public appearance and we know he has had a hair transplant, wears powder and always has a year-round tan.

One report suggested that stress may have led to his hair falling out.

His spokesman refused to comment on the stories about his hair.