Redheads usually make up around 2 per cent of the population and up to 6 per cent of the population in Western European communities.

However, in one class at the Orange Dance Centre five of the 10 pupils in one class are redheads. So is their teacher.

Tim Minchin has even celebrated the qualities of being a "ginger" with his performance of the now famous song. (If you haven't seen it go to You Tube).

In Melbourne just a few weeks ago redheads turned out in force to proudly show off their locks in a further celebration of possessing the MC1R gene, but they were lathered in 50-plus sunscreen.

Red hair is usually associated with fair skin and freckles, but redheads are reported in some medical studies to exhibit other characteristics including requiring more anaesthetic for surgery.

Now more than ever, particularly in Australia, redheads are susceptible to melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, so at least now redheads have access to more skin protection.