Hundreds of hopefuls queued around the block for the chance to become a Butlins Redcoat.

Former Brighton Redcoat Ted Rogers was one of the judges picking the next wave of family entertainers.

The holiday company, which has a resort in Bognor, is about to take on 50 Redcoats to follow in the footsteps of celebrities such as Sir Cliff Richard, Michael Barrymore and Des O'Connor.

The former 3-2-1 quiz show host, who was a Redcoat at Brighton for one season in 1958, said: "Today I'm looking for individuality."

Of his own experiences at the family entertainment resort, he said: "Butlins has always been a breeding ground for the stars.

"I was talent-spotted for a pantomime and things just took off from there."

Another judge, was Holby City and ex-Coronation Street TV star Angela Griffin, who went to Butlins in Skegness every year until she was 14.

She said: "The camp really inspired me to go into showbusiness.

"As long as there's some potential and plenty of confidence then the person can be turned into a star."

Contestants were

being assessed for their ability to sing, dance and act by a panel of

12 judges at the Hippodrome in Leicester Square, London, yesterday.

This is the third year Butlins has recruited in this way for its nine-month season, which starts in March.

In return for an eight-hour daily shift, the Redcoats are paid £8,000 a year, given subsidised food and free accommodation in the chalets on site.

Monique Astridge, 18, from Eastbourne, said she was feeling very nervous about her audition.

She said: "I am not really bothered about the money. I just want to be recognised."

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