Gay days for the farmer and his mate

Enter a pair of gay fashion and style experts, who decamp from London to introduce style and romance to the lives of two traditional country gents fond of check shirts, comedy ties and evenings in the pub.

Farmer Chris Gibbon and transport manager Mike Spink are the first subjects visited by the Fairy Godfathers, a British version of the hit US TV series Queer Eye For The Straight Guy.

Fashion designer Colin Woolfendon and professional stylist Nick Bagrie weren't what 31-year-old Chris was expecting when he replied to an email appeal for country gents to take part in a TV series. "They were looking for young couples between 25 and 40. I knew it was some sort of makeover show," he recalls. "I thought that would be great. I'd get some new clothes out of it and, besides, the chances of being picked were very slim."

He got girlfriend Becky, whom he met on a Countryside Alliance march, to write the application letter (when he wasn't expecting her to do the housework).

Much to his surprise, he was accepted and was asked to suggest another couple to take part. His brother refused, so he turned to friend Mike Spink, who's married to Amabel and has a three-year-old son, George.

Then, instead of "two glamorous birds from London" - Chris was thinking of What Not To Wear's Trinny and Susannah - he and Mike found that they'd be sharing their homes with gay men for a week.

Becky moved out and was replaced by Colin, while Amabel departed so Nick could houseshare with Mike. "I didn't have a clue what was going to happen," admits Darlington-born Chris, who farms near Richmond. "The programme makers hinted at little things, but we didn't know what they were going to do with us. We got to know just before they arrived when they asked how we felt about gay guys. It was a bit of a shock."

Colin and Nick introduced themselves at the pub where Chris and Mike were drinking after riding with the Zetland Hunt. If the producers expected the Yorkshiremen to live up to the stereotypical view of them, they weren't disappointed. Nick and Colin, however, didn't conform to the stereotypical limp-wristed homosexuals.

"They looked horrified," says Nick. "They asked us what we wanted to drink. I was gagging for a pint of lager, and they were astonished. They'd expected us to drink white wine spritzers. Not knowing any gay people, they just go by all the stereotypes. Like, when we were going out on the town, they were expecting us to put on make-up and dress, as if all gay men are transvestites.

"They weren't nasty about it, in an 'I hate faggots' kind of way at all. They were just really nervous of us. Mike told me he'd pulled a chest of drawers across his bedroom door. They automatically think that any gay guy will fancy them."

Mike seemed more apprehensive about living with a gay man - especially one who admitted to sleeping in the buff - than any lifestyle changes. "I'm not used to gays, or poofters. I might have to put some locks on the door," he admits on camera.

What pleased Colin and Nick was how the two men's opinions changed during the week as they became more comfortable with them. "I was a bit worried about Colin and the gay thing, but we got to know each other and he's a cracking bloke, a nice guy," says Mike, who's always lived in the country, first at Scotch Corner and, since marrying, East Cowton.

For filming, he took a week off work from Roman Showers at Newton Aycliffe, where he's transport manager. Chris had to do his usual farming chores and he got Nick involved too.

"I had him cleaning the pigs, and he moved a few sheep. I said if he didn't get in with the pigs, I wasn't going to play ball with him," says Chris.

Both Becky and Amabel left their men in the hands of the fairy godfathers, playing the part of "distressed women wishing to convert their useless men into stylish, domestic gods and, in essence, make them just that little bit more gay".

Bringing out the traditional country men's feminine side proved a bit of a struggle. Nights out with the lads in the pub in Northallerton, followed by a visit to Club Amadeus were declared out of bounds.

Chris was made to spring clean his house ("brown, like the country" observed Nick) and learn how to master the vacuum cleaner. His bedside reading of Farmers Weekly and Feeding The Finishing Pig was ruled unromantic.

Mike, something of a couch potato who left all the domestic chores to his wife on the pretext that "housework is woman's work", had to do the ironing, lose weight and clean his teeth regularly. It was revealed that he doesn't brush them before bed "unless he thinks he has half a chance of something happening".

Both men had to cook romantic meals for their gay guests. Their wardrobes were ransacked for unfashionable items, after being told their check shirts were "very gay, like members of Village People". Out went Chris's Mickey Mouse waistcoat and blazer with the gold buttons amid howls of protest. Mike's lack of colour coordination in his clothes was an issue, as were his "passion killer" underpants.

The pair were taken on a shopping spree to Newcastle and underwent beauty treatments at Seaham Hall.

Finally, they had to plan a romantic evening for their partners. Chris welcomed Becky back with champagne, a meal and a sparklingly clean house. Mike surprised Amabel with a helicopter trip to a restaurant in Newcastle, a reminder of their honeymoon.

Despite the gay guidance and often humiliating revelations, both men enjoyed the experience and, having seen a preview, think the show is really good. They've kept up with their mentors, exchanging text messages with Colin and Nick. They've done less well, perhaps, at maintaining their lifestyle and fashion changes.

"I've not had a chance to go shopping since, but I've certainly helped more around the house. I've heard Amabel say that," says Mike.

Shopping is a problem for Chris too. "The afternoon in the department store drove me bonkers," he says, although he picked up "one or two tips - nothing life-changing" from the experts.

So has he returned to his old ways then? "Possibly a little bit," he admits.

Perhaps he's just adhering to the Yorkshire stereotype of being afraid to show his emotions.

Both Colin and Nick are convinced the men have got something out of the experience. "I definitely think they'll keep it going," says Colin.

"I think it was a life-changing experience. It certainly was for me. It was a fantastic experience, probably the hardest thing I've ever done, but completely worth it."

Nick has had messages from the guys saying they're making an effort. "It's all about the little things, that's what makes the difference to everyday lives, it's about being a bit more considerate. And I think the guys realised that. I really do."

l Fairy Godfathers is on Channel 4 on Thursday at 8pm. Chris and Mike are scheduled to appear on Richard and Judy on Thursday at 5pm.