Sex toys sell: The business of ball gags

Credit: Heathcliff O'Malley/The Telegraph

In 2007 Chris Simms, a former investment banker, was selling off his suits on eBay in preparation for taking a year out of the City. As his most expensive – and unworn – three-piece languished with no bids at 99p, he spotted a listing for a small leather ball attached to a leather strap, already topping £37 with days to go.

‘I thought, that must have barely cost £1 to make,’ he said. ‘I found the manufacturer and said, "I’ll have a box of ball gags please."’