Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Robbie Williams with beard (or two)

The years since his departure from Take That have shown the monumentally overrated Robbie Williams to be anything from a self-pitying egomaniac to a hateful tosser but even my lack of interest has been piqued by the recent candid snaps of him in Amsterdam, where he is recording his (heavens help us) eighth album, sporting a beard. On his face.

Does he dare challenge the almighty Babydaddy as pop's leading bear?

Sunday, November 25, 2007

Saturday, November 24, 2007

Bearlesque

Simon Casey of London-based bear burlesque cabaret troup Bearlesque was featured in the Are You Happy? feature of the Guardian on Saturday 17 November.
I'm not as energetic as Gene Kelly, but I do an act called Stripping In The Rain in a burlesque show - or, in our case, 'bearlesque'. There are five of us hairy, chubby guys. My act is done with an umbrella. At the end there's a lamp-post spouting real water.

Overall, yes, I'm happy. I've got a partner. It's incredibly cheesy, but seeing him smile makes me happy. Stripping is happiness for me. It's good fun, it's light-hearted. We're not out of the ordinary and we certainly don't go to the gym. The ideal male figure now is waxed. We're up there, hairy and unashamed. There has been some bare cheek on stage but normally it's just down to the underwear.

From a young age, I tended to find big, hairy men attractive. When the internet happened, that was the direction I headed in. I discovered the bear scene. It was accepting. I never felt embarrassed about how I looked. Around straight people, perhaps at a swimming pool, I'm more conscious of my body, I feel like I'm a bit tubby. That may be odd to hear in relation to stripping, but when I'm under the lights I know the audience is there. I'll keep doing it as long as there's an audience. I'll probably have to stop eating burgers at some point but I need to do that anyway.

The most active thing we do is the cancan. We really get those legs high, and that gets me happy. Seeing a bunch of hairy, overweight men joyously kicking the cancan - that's something unexpected.

Monday, November 19, 2007

Daniel Boys

Good to see that there is life - well, career - after BBC1's talent search Any Dream Will Do.

Daniel Boys made it as far the final six before being voted out - despite being one of my favourites. Since the show he has appeared in a couple of musicals and will shortly be seen in the smash-hit West End musical Avenue Q, which is soon to see its first cast changeover as the orginal London cast take a break.

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

teamm8

I've mentioned them before but new Australian underwear label teamm8 have launched recently.

teamm8 undies are sports classics with a fashionista twist inspired by Aussie sporting values of mateship and gritty determination fused with European flair. Exclusive yet affordable, they’re great for savvy, style-conscious blokes who want premium look & quality, at a smart price. teamm8 is ideal for fast-movers who tackle life head on and who want to be able to grab a pair of sexy, designer undies for every occasion, and go.
teamm8

...and they look great on model Jason Beam...


Monday, November 12, 2007

Shayne Ward and Dermot O'Leary

Hot TV moment of the weekend must have been the sight of everyone's fantasy boyfriend X Factor presenter Dermot O'Leary and returning hero former-winner Shayne Ward together on stage for the X Factor results show. They sure looked pretty together...

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Beowulf

OK OK, I know he's mostly computer generated but having seen the trailer for the new Beowulf movie I still think he's sexy...


Friday, November 09, 2007

Rugby World Cup - what we all really wanted to see

I know the Rugby World Cup seems like an age ago now but I've only just seen this - the extraordinary way the Regional Tourism Committee of Paris Ile-de-France chose to promote the rugby in Paris...

Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Ben Cohen

To celebrate Ben Cohen's Testimonial Year, his team have commissioned this stunning, limited edition, 2008 calendar. Without an air brush in sight, The Real Ben Cohen contains pictures of Ben just the way you want to see him - 'real'. A3 size with stylish front cover and discreet binding - a keepsake for all time, not just 2008!




Ben Cohen - you can order the calendar here

Tuesday, November 06, 2007

Adam Bouska

Adam Bouska is an American fashion photographer working out of West Hollywood and he is a rising star, especially with his male photography. I theoretically prefer my men a little more on the beefy side - but Bouska certainly know how to take a beautiful photograph of a beautiful man.







Last picture: Ryan Barry, Bouska's new 'muse'; all other pictures Marco Dapper

Adam Bouska

Goal!


A Manchester City player - Stephen Ireland - has sparked some small controversy with his 'unconventional' goal celebration when he ended the deadlock with a second half strike against Sunderland on Monday - not sure what the fuss is all about exactly... football would certainly benefit from a much needed injection of sexiness - and cheekiness will have to do.