transformation

He also represents something else - the transformation of the footballer into a public narrative.

Over the course of a hot summer day, four hairdressers and a young receptionist spar and bond with each other and a parade of customers who arrive seeking transformation both physical and spiritual.

"I'm sure there are lots of people in the West who don't approve, but people here are really excited about the transformation programme," said Sara.

Combs' children - some sobbing - also vouched for his transformation in prison.

I think that I should be so lucky to experience a down-to-the-studs transformation as someone whose job it is to get close to the meat of life and talk about what that was like.