If you want to know how revealing a Dreamboys show gets, you'll have to buy a ticket to find out. After a massive, sold-out UK tour last year, The Dreamboys are back with a brand new show called Fit And Famous, which will stop off at Exeter Corn Exchange on Wednesday, October 22. Former Dreamboy David Richards, now director of the stripper brand, reveals a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes to Anita Merritt, and promises that once you've seen a Dreamboys show you'll be a fan for life
What are people's perceptions of the Dreamboys?
Before people come to a show they think it's just a bunch of guys who come on stage, take their clothes off and then walk off. It's nothing like that.
What can people expect to see at a Dreamboys show?
The show is extremely classy and very entertaining. It's a proper theatre production with massive staging, fantastic lighting and incredible costumes.
The guys are enormously talented and have amazing personalities, as well amazing bodies. When they come on stage they do massive back flips and somersaults. There are routines such as one with fire sticks, and one Dreamboy does pole dancing. The show is also lots of fun, with comedy parts and acting as well.
Do the Dreamboys bare all in the show?
If you want to know you'll have to come and see! Let's just say they don't leave a lot to the imagination.
What happens backstage before a show?
It's all about the beauty regime. They are massive hygiene freaks. All the Dreamboys have got OCD! They live quite a feminine life; the moisturiser comes out, along with the make-up and hair straighteners.
How do you choose who has got what it takes to become a Dreamboy?
Auditions are held every January. They have an X Factor style about them, although our auditions have been going longer than the TV show!
First of all they send in a picture with a bit about themselves, and if they are selected they come to the audition and have to learn a dance routine with a choreographer and are then watched by a panel of four judges. In the next round they have to do a solo performance and the next round is an interview.
It's very rare we find more than one Dreamboy by the end. We are really picky.
How do you mould someone into a Dreamboy?
They have to go through four months of intensive rehearsals and we work on their physique, styling and grooming regime. It's almost like a factory conveyor belt; They come in looking one way and come out completely different. They have a waxed chest, pruned eyebrows and orange skin. The idea is to see something you wouldn't get at home. That's why they're called Dreamboys.
What physical features do you look for in a Dreamboy?
We make sure there's something for everyone because we don't expect people to turn up and love every single guy in the show. What you won't find is your normal, average, everyday man because otherwise what's the point of coming to the show?
There's nothing wrong with being your average looking man – that's what I have become!
Who is among your latest recruits?
It took months and months of planning, but we've got Dan Osborne from The Only Way is Essex. He's doing about eight shows, but unfortunately one of those isn't Exeter because of his filming schedule.
What rules do the Dreamboys have to adhere to?
Their job is to make every single person who comes to watch the Dreamboys feel like a princess.
The boys have contracts which stipulate certain things. There's all sorts of stuff from their decorum with customers to keeping up their training regime and how they look. Fortunately the boys do that, as they care about their appearance and the health benefits of it.
They are not allowed to be with audience members whether it's after the show, two or three weeks after the show, or even three or four years after the show. The boys' job is to entertain the audience live on stage, and not in other ways. It's a no-no.
They are more into people who are reserved and appreciate them as people rather than just what they do for a job.
Some of them have partners but another rule is we don't allow girlfriends or wives to come to the shows. The only exception is if they meet someone and they want to put their mind at ease.
What was it like being one of the Dreamboys troupe?
I first joined when I was 18. I was contacted by them to audition after being spotted on a TV show, and thought it would be fun so I went along and got in.
I remember having fun but I've always, always been business driven from an early age so in time I was made manager of the whole troupe and then I bought the entire company in 2010.
How has Dreamboys changed since you took over the brand?
When I was a Dreamboy we didn't have any of our own clubs. It was just a touring show. We've now got 12 clubs across the country with shows every Saturday night.
I have also turned Dreamboys into a massive theatre and arena tour. The first was a 22-date tour and by the next year it was 60 dates. Next year we'll be doing 80 shows and now Europe is knocking on the door.
A Dutch television company has started start filming the Dreamboys for a massive TV documentary on the entire operation. It shows our guys at home, the gym, their beauty regime and everyday lives, as well as at show rehearsals. They will also be interviewing groups of girls to find out why they come to the show.
Are there any downsides to being a Dreamboy?
They have the bad reputation that they love themselves. That's really not fair. When people meet them they say they're the nicest bunch of guys they've ever met.
If someone was fat or obese you wouldn't go up to them and say it. So if someone has a great body, why is it okay for someone to say, 'You love yourself'?
Behind the scenes do the Dreamboys all get on well together?
They're like a massive family, a bit like brothers. There is an amount of ego and testosterone in the air, but they get on extremely well. They have so much fun and it's hilarious being on the tour bus with them.
How wild do the women get in the audience?
When women come to a strip show they literally want to be part of the entire thing. That's why we have three security men whose job it is to hold them back.
When women get the chance to meet the boys at the end of the show, some will grab them, grope them or jump all over them.
You would never see a man doing that, and he wouldn't get away with it.
Their mission is to get their hands on them, get their telephone number, and see if they will come home with them. None of those things are going to happen!
What age do Dreamboys 'retire'?
When you leave all depends on how you age really. It's not a job you do for the rest of your life, but it can be for many, many years. In that time you can earn some good money and have an amazing experience.
Why should people come to the Dreamboys show?
If you think it's not your cup of tea I guarantee that if you come you will be a Dreamboy fan for life because you will have the time of your life.
For two hours you can relax in a safe environment and enjoy seeing something you wouldn't normally see in everyday life.
Tickets for the show, starting at 7.45pm, cost £24.50. Call 01392 665938 or visit www.exeter.gov.uk/cornexchange
![Revealed: The bare essentials of being a Dreamboy stripper]( "Revealed: The bare essentials of being a Dreamboy stripper")
