Libby Fox has been performing since she was three years old
Libby Fox, 22, of Kingswood, Hull, is one of Butlin’s newest Redcoat recruits(Image: butlins.com)
She is one of Butlin’s newest Redcoat recruits and Libby Fox is “loving it”. The 22-year-old from Kingswood in Hull has graduated from the Redcoat Academy and made the 285-mile move to Butlin’s Minehead in time for the February half-term break.
Libby received the famous Redcoat uniform at the start of Butlin’s milestone 90th anniversary year at a graduation ceremony. She has just welcomed guests for the first time at the Somerset holiday park.
From Sirius Academy West in Hull, Libby went on to study performing arts at East Riding College in Beverley. She said: “I’ve been performing from being about three years old.
“When I was really little I did a bit of agency work modelling. As I got older I started doing more at school clubs and some really minor TV jobs, but it all adds up.
“I was always performing for family with my cousins.” Libby said: “A good few years ago I was working for another company and I had this little one following me around all day.
“The mum said how much she appreciated me taking the time for them and that I reminded her of a Redcoat. I didn’t go to a Butlin’s when I was young but I was always aware of it – I think anyone who lives in the UK and sees that iconic red jacket knows what it is.
“The jacket has been recently updated, in 2023, from the last time it was updated in 2011 for Butlin’s 75th anniversary. It’s really nice, it’s lovely and comfortable to wear.”
Libby said she liked the thought of a Redcoat being that friendly and familiar face that anyone could turn to, such as a child who was lost, on their holiday. “At Redcoat Academy we had a series of workshops to develop our skills,” she said.
Alongside confidence-building there were such things as circus skills and DJ-ing, and it was a “super-fun” experience, according to Libby. “It was an opportunity to learn new things.
“For instance, I’ve never touched DJ-ing before and it was so much fun. I think this is my new mini side passion.”
Libby said she thought the best part about being a Redcoat was going to be “helping families to make brand-new memories together”. “You never know what someone’s background is but as soon as they walk through the main gates at Butlin’s, it’s our job to help them relax and smile.
“For me personally it’s about my own development, seeing what I can achieve. You have that freedom to explore new things.”
With Minehead being many miles from Kingswood, Libby said: “Hull will always be home-home, but wherever I am working becomes home. The main thing I’ll miss is family, they are super-supportive – I’ve been working away from home since I was 18 – and weirdly I will miss the Hull accent.
“As a family we do make plans to meet up to maintain those connections and I speak to my mum a couple of times a day. And working as a Redcoat at Butlin’s is like a family.”
Libby said: “All I would say to people is, if you do have a dream, go for it. You never know where you are going to end up in life.
“And if you do fancy the idea of being a Redcoat, give it a try. It’s so much fun and everyone is so nice and supportive of one another and you’ll make a lot of friends.”
A spokesperson for Butlin’s said: “When it comes to UK holidays, there’s nothing more iconic than the Butlin’s Redcoat and we’re delighted to be welcoming Libby to our Minehead resort in the class of 2026.
“She’s joined the brand in a landmark year and has just welcomed guests to Minehead for the very first time. As she heads into the first half-term of our 90th birthday, she’ll play a big part in our celebrations as a Redcoat.”