Search for Redcoats goes to online vote

Holiday company Butlins is launching an X Factor-style search for new Redcoat entertainers, it was announced today.

The public will be able to look at would-be Redcoats' audition videos online and vote for their favourites.

The company, which introduced Redcoats when Butlins began in the 1930s, wants hopefuls to upload their audition videos to YouTube, with the best 300 going through to the next round of interviews.

Butlins entertainment head Mike Godolphin said today: "The Redcoat auditions are always an important time of year for us and we've now truly embraced the social media phenomenon and invited the nation to become part of the process."

Butlins creates 20 new Redcoat posts each year. Famous Redcoats have included Des O'Connor, Michael Barrymore and Jimmy Tarbuck.