London, July 3 : Cheryl Cole danced around with a gang of male strippers on 'The X Factor' recently.

The show's chief and co-judge Cowell, 54, had hired a hunky male group called Highland Fling, to dance for the singer, who recently turned 31, as a surprise birthday gift during the auditions in Edinburgh, the Daily Star reported.

The beauty, who was married to footballer Ashley Cole, acted sportingly and went on the stage, even though hid her face at first as the troupe kept stripping around her until they were only in their tartan thongs.

Cole gave Cowell a thank-you kiss on the cheek as she returned to the panel with flowers. (ANI)