The Europeans sure like their gay men in uniforms; 20-year-old Norwegian Marius Svela won Mr Gay Norway in 2007 and now 23-year-old navy man Davie Henderson will represent Scotland in the grand final of the Mr Gay UK contest.

Henderson, who has served in the Royal Navy since he was 17, beat a 100 men for the honor during an event at Bennetts nightclub in Glasgow. He will now appear at Gay Pride marches and Mardi Gras parades across the UK ahead of the final in London this summer.

"I'm still in shock. My friends went along to support me and they were all wearing T-shirts with my name on them and were handing out fliers that said 'Vote Davie,' Henderson said.

"All the girls from Silver beauty salon in Paisley, who helped me prepare for the night, turned up in a Hummer to cheer me on. The judges said they were impressed by the amount of support I was given.

"I didn't really think I would win the heat and I can still hardly believe it. They announced the third and second place contestants and I thought, 'There's no way I've won' but then one of the judges dragged me back on stage to announce I was the winner. The atmosphere was amazing and I can't explain how thrilled I am. It still hasn't sunk in yet."

Henderson, who is from Paisley just outside of Glasgow, Scotland, Davie, told his pals two years ago that he was gay. And, despite the macho forces culture, he was accepted without question by his fellow sailors.

"I was worried what the other guys would think but they were all fine with it," he said.

Henderson is planning to leave the Navy in six months' time to pursue his dream of modeling professionally.

"My dream would be to model for someone like Jean Paul Gaultier or Valentino. Gaultier loves the sailor look, so you never know," he said.

Last update: 04-23-2008 11:05