Star performer Jake makes Ripon proud by landing dream job

Proud of his Ripon roots: Jake England, who has achieved his dream job. Picture: Paul Oldham.

Jake England has always holidayed at Butlins, and at 19 has visited its fun-filled camps more than 20 times.

He has always looked up to the Redcoats, and from a very young age hungered to wear the uniform one day himself - now, this dream has become a concrete reality, as he gets ready to take up a position at Butlins in Minehead.

Jake has a wide performance background, with numerous productions under his belt and a broad CV that showcases his total commitment, passion and infectious energy for the industry.

A credit to his home city: Jake England. Picture: Paul Oldham.

Readers might best know Jake for being a regular in Ripon’s charity pantomime each year, or for being a key part of the entertainment team at Lightwater Valley theme park - he also dreams of starring as The Doctor in Doctor Who one day, and prides himself on wearing snappy suits.

Then there is Jake’s role as compère of Ripon’s Got Talent, his previous work as an entertainer for Rascals Entertainment, or starring in Upstage Academy’s productions, where he first embarked on his acting career. Jake has also been a favourite for entertaining the crowds lining the streets for one of Ripon’s greatest traditions, the St Wilfrid’s Procession, where he took on various characters for the themed floats.

He has also held down jobs at the Golden Lion and the One Eyed Rat whilst juggling a lot of these performing commitments. Jake said: “This opportunity means a lot, because all my life I have wanted to work at Butlins. Whenever I went there, I was always just in awe of the Redcoats, and I just wanted to join in with them.

"Seeing what they do, and looking up to them, it’s created who I am today. It just feels amazing and surreal in a sense that I am going to be working at Butlins, just to be able to say that I work there as a Redcoat will be incredible.”

Jake has always loved Butlins from an early age.

Jake has seen off stiff competition from more than 200 candidates to achieve the position, and he can’t wait to throw himself into everything that the job entails. He was also delighted to learn that he will be an understudy for the Skyline team’s shows, ready to step in at any moment on stage when he is needed.

Jake said: “I get a massive adrenaline rush from performing, and seeing the smiles on people’s faces as they enjoy what you’re doing. It’s something where you can escape reality and just go for it. I know this job will be so much fun, and I get to meet celebrities I have grown up with, like Dick and Dom, Diversity and Justin Fletcher.”

Jake is proud to be joining the Redcoat ranks and continuing a long legacy - he is also well aware that it’s how star like Jimmy Tarbuck started out. Aware of how great Ripon’s support has been, Jake is keen to thank his family and friends, and everyone who has helped him along the way - including the likes of Ripon’s Upstage Academy, the Ripon Charity Pantomime Group, Lightwater Family, Ripon Farm Services, the team behind Ripon’s Got Talent, and many, many more.

Jake said: “I would just like to say a massive thank you to everyone for being so supportive - there are so many people to thank, and I am so grateful to them for giving me so much encouragement and believing in me.”