I went to the Pleasure Boys wild male strip show that caused outrage in Belfast - the dancers' acrobatics are good enough for Cirque du Soleil, but women just wanted to see their privates, says SAMANTHA REA

It was greased-up abs and bouncing buttocks as male strippers The Pleasure Boys made their mark on Birmingham, on the latest stop on their XXL tour.

It's been one week since the erotic dancers caused controversy in Belfast, after engaging in scenes of a very sexual nature.

Videos spread like wildfire on social media, leading to mass debate over the extent of the Belfast shenanigans. Were the sex acts simulated or were they real? 

And did the really audience storm the stage - or were they egged on by sex-crazed strippers?

I watch one video clip on X, formerly Twitter, in which a naked man simulates sex with a member of the audience, while another is seen with his private parts alarmingly close to a woman's face. 

Pictured: Two women enjoy a private dance from a PleasureBoys performer during the show in Birmingham yesterday

Pictured: Femail reporter Samantha Rea went to the PleasureBoys show in Birmingham last night – after the Belfast performance caused uproar online

The debauchery is soundtracked by Chubby Checker cheerily encouraging everyone to do the twist. This makes the scene surreal. It's unsavoury, yet strangely comedic – like if clowns got their 'bits' out. 

It is with some trepidation then, that I arrive on Saturday evening at the King of Clubs nightclub in Birmingham city centre to see the Pleasure Boys in action.

I know I'm in the right place because a smattering of women, dressed to go out-out, are queuing up outside. 

Only, the show was meant to start at 7pm but it's getting on for half past and the shutters on the doors are still down.

'Did you hear about what happened in Belfast last week?' I'm chatting to two women in the queue, who are kicking off their evening with cans of pre-mixed cocktails. 

They replied: 'Oh yeah, it's always like that!'

Despite the furrowed brows in Belfast, these women seem pretty happy and they tell me they've seen the Pleasure Boys twice before. The antics in Northern Ireland weren't a one-off.

There are only about ten of us outside, and as the shutters show no signing of opening, there's debate about whether we're meant to get in via a back entrance through an Indian restaurant round the corner.

Pictured: two enthusiastic audience members seen running their hands on a naked dancer's body last night

Another audience member enjoyed a private one-on-one lap dance from one of the PleasureBoys

Eventually, in dribs and drabs, we do indeed find a way in, around the corner, through some kind of cafe that leads onto the club.

At the bar, I order a large glass of rose. A woman who's buying a bottle of something that warrants an ice bucket says to me: 'Dutch courage! They'll be getting you up on stage!' 

I say: 'I hope not! If they do, drag me back!' She laughs as she tells me: 'That's what they all say!'

Later I see her sitting in a group with White Dee off Benefits Street and Celebrity Big Brother. I am not too shy to ask for a selfie and White Dee gives me a lovely kiss on the cheek.

One of the early acts is a guy doing something with fire and gymnastics. It's pretty impressive and he could probably be in Cirque du Soleil. 

Unfortunately this is not the audience for it, and a woman sitting near me clarifies this for him by shouting: 'Get your c*** out! That's what we've paid for!'

The organiser of the wild male strip show that sparked uproar in Belfast after fully naked dancers simulated raunchy acts with attendees (pictured) has said mobile phones will now be banned at future tour dates 

There are some rather striking sailor outfits reminiscent of Richard Gere in An Officer and a Gentleman, and at times the choreography is cracking. 

At other times, when they struggle to get their trousers over their ankles, it's like watching a weary character on Crossroads getting ready for bed.

The strippers slather their torsos and privates with a lube and the scenes are obscene.

This PleasureBoys dancer is seen gyrating on an audience member on the floor of the Birmingham venue

Femail reporter Samantha Rea posed for a photo on the PleasureBoys throne after the performance ended

The antics do indeed echo those I saw in video clips of last week's show in Belfast. 

There is copious close-up crotch action, and reality star White Dee is one of the women game enough to get on the floor to get close up with the Pleasure Boys.

Perhaps I'm clutching my pearls unnecessarily, but only a hazmat suit and an astronaut helmet would soothe my anxiety about coming into contact with their genitalia. 

I spend the night ready to scream: 'I HAVE ALLERGIES!!!' in case any of the guys get too close.

Pictured: the PleasureBoys performers seen dressed up as sailors during their Birmingham show

At the end of the night, as I have my picture taken on the photo-opp-throne I am photobombed by stripper Cane, who I chat to before leaving.

He tells me it's a shame that people are judging the Pleasure Boys by the clips on social media, explaining that he wishes there was more context, because the guys aren't just about birthday-suit-sex-simulation.

Cane, a former Dreamboy who works in construction during the week, points out that the Pleasure Boys have great costumes and choreography, and they put a lot of effort into their routines.

He tells me he'd be wary of touring in Ireland again, blaming religion for the outcry. He seems like a nice guy, and I have to respect the pride he takes in his work.

I've always struggled to get my head around the concept of male strippers, having had my first experience, I can't say my mind's been changed. 

However, it was actually an awesome atmosphere and I loved the female camaraderie. 

The women around me were having a fantastic time and I'm happy to say that was infectious – so I had a great time too.