Chippendales to sue newcomers hogging limelight with O2 show

The sensitive world of male strippers is in dispute over the right to gyrate like a Chippendale.

The original strip brand is suing new rival troupe, Here Come The Boys, because it claims they are benefiting from their success. The new dancers are opening a 42-date national tour tomorrow night at the O2 arena and will be introduced by singer Peter Andre.

Meanwhile, the Chippendales are preparing for two UK appearances, at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the Shepherd's Bush Empire. The Chippendales USA have launched legal proceedings demanding a share of the profits. Spokesman Kevin Denberg said he was suing the newcomers "to protect our loyal fans from confusion as we protect our brand name".

But he was accused of sour grapes by The Boys, who claim they have paved the way for the original brand's comeback. Eight of the 10 HCTB dancers were part of the 1991 Chippendales.

Laurel Goodman, of HCTB's management team, said: "They don't like the competition and have done as much as possible to put us off. But we say there's room for everybody. Our show is choreographed by Cris Judd, who is an ex-Chippendale. We are our own entity and should be treated as such. It's not the usual bump and grind. We offer something completely different and should be allowed to get on with it."

The Chippendales, founded in a Los Angeles nightclub in 1979, still claim to be the "premier provider of entertainment for women". They are seeking an injunction preventing Superstar Entertainment Limited, operator of HCTB, from allegedly "infringing the Chippendales trademark". Solicitor Audrey Horton said HCTB had used the Chippendale name for its own promotion as well as suggesting that the Chippendales have re-formed or been re-branded.

The HCTB website shows a disclaimer stating: "Please don't confuse us with the Chippendales. Although several of our team formerly danced with the Chippendales our show is not a Chippendale show. HCTB is an entirely new and separate act."

However, The Boys are described on the website as "The Originals", and their biographies describe their "most memorable moment" as being in the Chippendales. David Frostman, for the indigO2, said: "It is a matter for the two companies involved."