A bit of Bear Grylls and Bond for escorts

IT’S not often you hear the words Bear Grylls, James Bond and metro-sexual in the same sentence, but then again being an escort at the Rose of Tralee is no regular event.

Despite the stereotypical image of a Rose escort involving lessons in etiquette, mammy’s boy manners and the finer art of door-opening, this year’s self-styled men in black (tuxedos) insist the popular picture is only part of the reality.

While the competition’s 32 escorts have been well-drilled in how to act like a gentleman, they are adamant the traditional view of their involvement should be left in the distant past.