Naked butler who says Magic Mike popularised the job faces bookings tsunami as lockdown caused nude valets shortage when venues closed
A naked butler who says the Magic Mike movie popularised the profession is fighting to fulfil a tsunami of bookings after lockdown caused a shortage of nude valets when venues closed, forcing them to cover up and find new jobs.
A salesman by day, fitness fanatic Blade Siddiqi, 27, now reveals his muscular 6ft 4in physique at up to four parties a day at weekends, in his second job as a butler in the buff – saying fun-loving Brits are making up for lost time by letting their hair down whenever possible.
Blade, of Stevenage, Hertfordshire, who started in his raunchy role five years ago and lives with a fellow naked butler pal, said: “This really is the best job in the world. We’re always in this fun and flirty environment.
“It pays well and I work really hard on my body, so getting compliments is also an added bonus.
He added: “Doing this job means I’ve had to put serious relationships on the side, as it can be really complicated as I’m surrounded by women and I’m also always busy working on the weekend.”
And since last summer, Blade has been inundated with requests for his sexy services.
Blade said: “I’ve never had to work as much as I have in the past year.
“At weekends, I’ve done up to four parties in a single day.
He added: “My housemate and I have found there’s been a backlog of social events, like weddings and parties, that were postponed because of Covid.
“Now they are all coming through and there is such a massive demand for us that we’re struggling to keep up with the bookings.
“I am at a point now where I have to decline events, because I have so much on.
Blade, who works out six days a week and eats 5,000 calories a day to maintain his impressive physique, said many butlers were forced to “retire” as their bodies were no longer in shape due to gyms closing in lockdown, while others found new jobs as bookings stopped because of social distancing.
But Blade, who is also a salesman and works at a warehouse, would recommend the “work hard while playing hard” job to anyone.
He added: “I had an event once where myself and another butler had to race to eat melted chocolate from one of the guest’s legs, up to her waist.
“That was quite interesting!
Despite naked butlers seeing a rapid rise in popularity because of Magic Mike, in which a male stripper teaches a young performer how to party, pick up women and make easy money, Blade is keen to stress that he does not strip.
His role is simply to keep guests entertained and to bring energy to the event, by playing games that can sometimes be “a bit raunchy.”
He said: “The job is just really fun and my role is to make sure everyone has the best time.
“Every butler has their own style and I have developed my own routine over the years.
He added: “But I always try to surprise the bride to be or birthday lady by making an entrance.
“Whatever we do, though, my apron stays on!”
Still, despite all the fun, he takes his role very seriously and makes sure he is always in great shape as he is a consummate professional.
While many think it’s all about entertainment, Blade insists it’s like any job he does which requires time and commitment.
He added: “I also only eat clean food. No refined sugars, no processed food, no Big Macs or sausage rolls.
“For me it’s really important to do the job well and be professional with everything I do.”
He said: “I will know when the time comes for me to stop doing this.
“It will be if I started a business or if something else I am more passionate about takes over.
“But as long as my abs hold out, I don’t see myself hanging up my apron any time soon!”