More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Britain’s first all-Black touring strip dancing group - dreamt up by a Kent entrepreneur - will hit the nation's screens tonight.
Channel 4 documentary The Black Full Monty lifts the lid on the lives of The Chocolate Men, and features footage from a steamy performance at Maidstone nightclub Gallery in Bank Street.
Among the audience for the raunchy show in the county town are mother-and-daughter duo Kelly and Mel.
Filmed enjoying a drink before hitting the town, 49-year-old Kelly explains her excitement at the anticipation of seeing the performers take to the stage.
"It is eye candy," she said. "They are easy on the eye, they have just got something about them. The way they dance, the way they smile."
The Chocolate Men, who were filmed performing in Maidstone in October 2018 during a nationwide tour, are a Black-owned business managed by Louis Francois - who lives in Dartford - and his partner Dante Williams.
Tonight's documentary provides a revealing look at what brings audiences from all walks of life flocking to their performances across the country.
Louis and Dante came up with the idea for the group after hosting a Magic Mike themed night and noticing the event’s only Black dancer received the biggest reaction from the crowd.
Against those who say they sell a sexualised stereotype of Black masculinity, Dante holds firm: "There's a demand and we're servicing that demand."
Among the performers featured in the one-off programme are Anthony, who met girlfriend Phillipa at a show and now has a baby on the way, and Gino, who is working as a stripper to pay off for university.
The Black Full Monty airs tonight at 10pm on Channel 4
