BBC
ONE TV - Inside Out Reports
on Cavendish Knights
Male escorts were once the butt of dirty jokes. Today they're
the trendiest way for single women to enjoy a good night out
with no strings.
Back in the old days, the male escort was seen as somewhat tacky
- something that polite society didn't talk about.
Today
more and more highly paid executive women are turning to male
escorts in search of a good night out.
It's
a no-strings attached relationship that suits the busy single
woman right down to the ground.
Brenda
Emmanus takes you inside the secret world of the male escort,
and asks would you pay for the services of a good looking,
attentive accessory?
Love
Me Tender
Chris Osborn enjoys his job - it's well paid, glamorous
and he gets to meet dozens of women. But Chris has a secret...
By
day he's a humble demolition man, but by night Chris is a
male escort, making women feel special in his company.
Not
only does he get to attend glamorous parties and dinners,
he earns a good wage.
The
main reason that attracted me to escorting was the money
A male escort is a great substitute for a traditional
hot date
Chris can earn £65 per hour for escorting women around
the capital on his arm.
£20
of his earnings goes to the agency he works for.
There's
plenty more like him. Chris works for SIG, one of London's
biggest agencies, which has 150 male escorts on its books.
It
is one of the only straight, non-sexual male escort agencies
in London.
With
over 1700 registered clients, it's clear that the non-erotic
male escort game is big business.
The
agency vets its escorts thoroughly and runs police checks
to ensure that they can be trusted.
Sex
and the City
It's a sign of the times that the male escort is
more popular than ever.
The
social stigma of being a male escort once meant that workers
often kept quiet about their job but that's all changing.
I'm
not ashamed of what I do. I don't feel I get judged or looked
down upon. A lot of blokes envy me
Like other male escorts, Chris is in great demand
and it appears that women love his company.
He's
attentive, chivalrous, polite and well groomed.. and he doesn't
pick fights, get grumpy or leave his dirty underwear on the
bedroom floor!
Posh-titute?
But isn't the phrase 'male escort' just a posh word
for prostitute?
Chris
Osborn is quick to refute any whiff of improper behaviour
or sexual shenanigans.
Chris
says that he doesn't indulge his clients' sexual fantasies.
"I'm not there to have sex," he says.
"I
won't overstep the mark. I back off", he says, emphasizing
that he likes to remain in control of what both he and his
client wants.
Make
a Date
But doesn't it feel a bit strange going out with
a complete stranger?
Male escorts can provide a listening ear
We put Chris Osborn to the test when our guest presenter,
Brenda Emmanus took him out on a date.
At
first Brenda felt nervous and paranoid about what her friends
would think. Would they see through her cunning plan?
A
ten minute chat with Chris before the date removed her fears.
Her male escort seemed like a perfectly decent, nice guy.
But
how was she going to introduce him to her mates? Chris recommends
saying that you've just met a day or so before.
It's
no good claiming that you're soul mates or lovers if you're
not.
At
the end of the date Brenda had enjoyed a really good, relaxing
night.. and even her friends seemed happy with her date.
Two's
Company
So will more single women be taking the leap and
buying the services of male escorts?
For
many women an escort can provide companionship, a listening
ear and a great time, without any commitment.
It's
a straight-down-the-line, uncomplicated arrangement that some
modern women find strangely liberating.
The
deal is honest and clear, and there's no room for confusion.
For
some Londoners it gives women the power to know what they
want and go out and get it.
True
Romance?
But male escorts are not for everyone. If you're
looking for love and long term relationship, a male escort
is unlikely to turn into Mr Right.
But
he could make a great Mr Right-Now!
Find
out more about how Brenda Emmanus got on at her date with
the male escort on Inside Out on Monday 1 September. Why
not join our great debate on male escorts with Vanessa Feltz
on BBC London 94.9FM this Tuesday 2 September at 3pm.
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