London, September 22 : A saucy pole dancing champ was left facing disappointment after she was beaten by a man in a bid to become the UK''s top performer.

Brunette Aileen Daniel, 26, who won the title three years ago, was gutted after pole dancing judges announced hairdresser Paul McGill, 38, as the new Scottish champion.

"I can''t believe I have been beaten by a man. I was hoping to get to the final, but Paul has beaten me to it,” the Sun quoted Aileen as saying.

"I actually trained him and he works at my gym and takes classes. However people still think it''s funny that I''ve been beaten by a bloke," she added.

Paul will be the only man up against racy female dancers at the Pole Divas 2009 final in Manchester in November.

He said: "I was the only man that entered and I am delighted I won. I will be the only bloke in the main final as well. I have been doing it for more than a year now and more men should take it up.

"Men are scared to do it because of the dancing association but it is the fitness aspect I do it for. It helps with your upper body strength and some of the moves are really difficult. I beat Aileen in the fitness category and I have been winding her up ever since." (ANI)