Simon Cowell hires male strippers for Cheryl Cole’s birthday
By Josh Haggis
Cheryl Cole got the surprise of her life while filming The X Factor in Edinburgh earlier this week.
The popstar turned 31 last weekend (June 31) – and her fellow judge Simon Cowell called in some male strippers to help her celebrate the occasion.
The troupe of strippers walked on set pretending to be regular contestants, launching into a rendition of The Proclaimers’ hit (I’m Gonna Be) 500 Miles for the judges. However, shortly after their performance ended, Nelly’s Hot In Herre began playing and the group tore off their clothes and started gyrating in front of Cole.
One the strippers grabbed Cole’s hand and danced for her, while Louis Walsh and Cowell both looked on smiling, reports the Daily Record. Surprisingly, new judge Mel B is said to have appeared shocked by the multitude of bulges, and apparently ran off set during the impromptu strip-show.
The troupe’s sidekick, a little person, then walked on set and presented Cole with a bunch of flowers and a cuddly toy. Cowell proceeded to congratulate the strippers on their performance, telling the strippers that “Louis said yes”.
One of the strippers, 23-year-old Gino Rao, told the Daily Record afterwards: “It was absolutely brilliant. She was completely shocked. I can’t wait to see my mum’s and girlfriend’s face. She’s going to be mortified when she sees it on TV. At one point she was like get off me, get off me as Jay went up to get her.”
Check out pictures from the set below:
Meanwhile, a former member of Cowell’s flop pop group Girl Thing auditioned for the X Factor – click here for further details about their awkward reunion.