We've been a little all over the place, what with the holidays and all, so forgive us for not mentioning till now that Stuart Hatton was crowned Mr. Gay UK at a event in Leeds.

The comely 28-year-old, who runs his family's dance studio in South Shields and sidelines as an underwear model (of course), beat out some 240 competitors for the honor. “It feels absolutely tremendous – especially to bring the title to the North East," Hatton told the Shields Gazzette.

Despite being drop-dead gorgeous, Hatton admits he had some anxiety standing on the stage before the judges, who included pop singer Jan George, Gay Times editor Lee Dalloway and Mr Gay UK 2012, Leroy Williamson. "Being a dancer, I’m used to getting on stage and performing and strutting my stuff in front of a crowd," says the inked sexpot. "But this was a little bit different because I was being judged as a person as opposed to for a performance, so the butterflies were definitely there.”

Hatton will represent Great Britain next year at the Mr Gay Europe competition in Vienna. Should he win that, he'll move on to the   Mr Gay World. “I’m definitely hoping to go all the way," he says.

So are we, Stuart. So are we.

Check out images of Mr. Gay UK 2013 Stuart Hatton

h/t: Instinct, Photos: Facebook