JODIE Jennison from Keighley works as a Butlin’s Redcoat. In the year that Butlin’s marked 90 years of holidays, we asked her how she came to join the famous groups of entertainers.
Q: What was your first experience of Butlin’s and when?
A: I first came to Butlin’s with my family when I was one year old. However, my mum brought my sister to Butlin’s Skegness when she was pregnant with me.
Q: What did you like about it, and about the Redcoats in particular?
A: I enjoyed watching the shows and taking part in the fancy dress competitions. One year my sister and I came runner-up for our Scary Jack In A Box costumes for Halloween.
I also loved the outdoor play area. One of my first memories is from when I was three - I couldn’t find my mum in the 5 Alive Old Wild Fruit Mine. I was later found by a member of the team.
Q: Did you harbour thoughts of working there one day?
A: When I was young I visited Butlin’s Skegness every year with my family. It was where I experienced some of the happiest memories from my childhood. I have a diary entry that I wrote when I was around seven about wanting to become one of the Redcoats.
Did you have an interest in drama at school?
A: As a pupil at Parkside Secondary School, Cullingworth, I particularly enjoyed drama. My drama teacher inspired me to go to college to further explore my passion for acting.
In 2017 I joined Craven College in Skipton where I studied performing arts. I performed in both The Wizard of Oz and Chicago, playing the comedic role of Mary Sunshine. Alongside my studies, I attended acting classes through Matt Zina Acting and Articulate Drama School & Agency.
I then started working on a variety of TV shows, including the second series of Ackley Bridge, filmed in Halifax. In 2019, I was successful in gaining a place at The Arden School of Theatre in Manchester, which enabled me to learn a variety of skills, from developing my acting techniques, to street theatre and clown work, physical comedy and stand-up comedy.
When I was 19, I was diagnosed with dyslexia, which explained why I struggled academically in school. I went from being in the bottom ten per cent to achieving grades in the top ten per cent at college and drama school. I had to work hard but I knew that acting was the career that I was aiming towards. I was willing to do whatever it took.
Q: Have you worked in entertainment since leaving school?
A: I have worked in a variety of theatre productions, TV shows, films and commercials while also participating in street theatre gigs, stage management, DJ and radio opportunities.
Q: Were you nervous before your Butlin’s audition?
A: I auditioned in 2023 at the Skegness Resort. I hadn’t been to Butlin’s in more than ten years. I had a blast.
I was chatting to the current team and other audition applicants, and I thought this is the childhood dream - being at Butlin’s was a way for me to build upon my performance career, while taking a step towards learning new skills.
We were asked to prepare a one-minute performance piece on any topic. I remembered from when I was little, the old Humpty Dumpty who was sitting on the wall by the old nursey in Skegness. I performed a rap about Humpty Dumpty, involving him and a variety of farm animals. I also spoke about my favourite food - a Pot Noddle sandwich with Nutella.
I joined the team in Minehead, Somerset, in January 2024. Last year I became one of the Redcoat Hosts. I have had the opportunity to host a variety of products, ranging from stage shows, to bingo, and gameshows.
Outside of being a Redcoat I co-host a community radio show with another Redcoat from called GG. Called The Saturday Morning Kickstart, it is broadcast on Outreach Radio weekly from 9am-11am.
Q: What does your role entail?
My role involves interacting with thousands of guests. My Redcoat Host Role involves presenting at the late-night venue named REDS, which is the home of the Redcoats.
I have performed in various shows, including DJ / Referee for Meet The Stars of the Gladiators, hosting The Puppet Castle, PJ Masks Meet The Heroes and Justin Time for a Story in collaboration with the CBeebies legend Justin Fletcher. I have also performed as Master Marvolo in Peppa Pig’s Circus Celebration in collaboration with Hasbro.
Throughout my time of being a Redcoat, I have performed with Pirate Jenny and the pirate crew as Pirate Jodie. Sharing the stage with the world famous cheeky Billy Bear (Pirate Billy). We hopped aboard a pirate ship in All Aboard - A Pirate Adventure, written by Jenny Phillips.
Last year I hosted the New Year Celebrations in the Skyline Pavilion, presenting to thousands of people before the countdown to 2026. I got to host a gameshow that Redcoat GG and I created this was one of my favourite nights.
Also last year a show was created named Redcoat Showdown where five Redcoat acts perform head-to-head. This is where I created the puppet Reece Icle, writing a song called Save The Earth which focuses on recycling and how children and adults can help with this global concern. This year, I was cast in the Redcoat Showdown for a second time - we wrote a new song Don’t Stop Recycling.
Q: How did you devise your puppet show and is recycling something you particularly like to focus upon, to get an important message across?
A: We took inspiration from a show named Theo The Mouse at Butlin’s, creating a Bin Monster Puppet and placing him in a bin. We borrowed a recycling bin and cleaned out the inside. From here, Reece Icle and Save The Earth was born. The purpose was to teach children the importance of recycling in a creative and interacting way.
Outside of being a Redcoat, I like to use my creative brain to write shows and poetry. I have written a script for a brand-new show, featuring Reece Icle, Redcoat Jodie and Redcoat GG. I am hoping to have this staged in the near future for audiences to enjoy.
Q: What do you like about Minehead as a location?
It is a beautiful seaside town in Somerset - there is so much to do. The Butlin’s Minehead team is outgoing and so supportive. This goes for both the Redcoat Team and our Managers. Minehead is a home away from home and I love my crazy life here. Every day is always different.
Q: What do you like about working as a Redcoat?
A: I thoroughly enjoy my role. I love a natter - talking is probably my favourite hobby. Last year I created a street theatre character Redcoat Box to delight our guests. I like to think outside the box, creating new ideas for the children to interact with. This has been a hit at Minehead and the regular guests have remembered me for this idea. I also have a Christmas and Easter version.
Sometimes I can be seen around the resort in my street theatre costumes as DJ Mooria, a French Artist, Dancing Grannie Irene or as a silly clown - I relish the opportunity to make others laugh.
I am fortunate that Butlin’s has allowed me to immerse myself within these crazy ideas. I am hoping to inspire the Redcoats of the future to be themselves and get creative too.
Q: Have you made good friends through your job?
A: I have made lifelong friends here and made memories with people who I will never forget. Living in the south means that I don’t hear northern accents that often so it’s exciting when guests come from the north to visit Minehead.
Q: Have things changed at Butlins since you went as a child?
Many of my childhood memories are surrounded by the laugher and fun times at Butlin’s. Billy Bear, Angelina Ballerina, Noddy and Bob the Builder were my favourite characters, and the rides were incredible.
A lot has changed but the feeling of Butlin’s remains the same - I think this is why Butlin’s has lasted many decades. My nanna first came to Butlin’s when she was in her teens, and she turned 81 this year. My mum, Nanna and Grandad brought my sister and I when we were young and now I wear the world-famous Redcoat jacket every day.
Butlin’s is an iconic place, and also brings a feeling of nostalgia for both guests and team members that lasts forever.
*How is Butlins’ 90th birthday being marked in Minehead?
This was such an exciting time for everyone, especially for the Redcoats. I was a part of the Skyline Celebrations - we danced throughout the decades before the fireworks filled the sky. In the evening I hosted REDS, the Home of the Redcoats. This was such a privilege.
Q: What did you do when working for CBBC and BBC?
A: I have worked with the BBC on numerous occasions. One of my most recent roles was as a mime artist for ODD Squad, which aired in 2024.
Q: What did you work as overseas?
In 2023, I worked in Enontekipo in Finland for a Christmas contract. This sparked my love for performing overseas. From here I completed two international theatre tours teaching English as a second language through theatre.
I have performed in more than 200 shows across Italy and also worked in Greece. Performing abroad, and teaching English, was what inspired me to volunteer in South Africa and Tanzania. In 2024, I taught in childcare facilities in Cape Town.
Last year I used my holiday from Butlin’s to help a community in Moshi, Tanzania. I took Reece Icle into the local school where I was volunteering. The puppet created a fun way for the children to learn.
Q: What would you say to anyone hoping to work in the entertainment industry?
A: Network with as many people as you can and go to as many auditions as possible. Get yourself in the room. Send emails, applications and communicate with others. Invest in your training, be a sponge, and learn as much as you can upon various disciplines and techniques. You never know what could happen.
Rejection is just as important as acceptance because every ‘no’ in the performance industry is a step closer to ‘yes’. If something feels right, trust your instincts, because something great will come out of it.
For anyone who is thinking of becoming a Redcoat in the future, please apply. Don’t let anything hold you back. Be bold, be crazy - and smiling is also important.
Share