GEORGE SAMPSON A BIG HIT AT BUTLINS

"WHAT?  THE George Sampson?" inquired the gaggle of kids with widening eyes.

We were at Butlins in Bognor Regis and, inspired by the flurry of dance shows on TV right now, we'd cannily booked in advance an urban dance lesson by the Britain's Got Talent's winner for our two kids.

Sure enough, with a big cheer and a massive minder, George appeared? on crutches!
Smiles were replaced by nervous murmurs. "It's OK, " assured George. "It looks worse than it is."

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Nobody blinked as his minder, a runaway from the WWE circuit, took his crutches and helped him to the centre of the dance studio.

With a clap of hands he was off and into his master-class, a 25minute session the kids will never forget. With infectious patter and constant encouragement, he coaxed everyone to master what looked like a complex combo of moves.

Each segment was rehearsed until George announced it was time to do the whole dance.
After all that excitement we spent a couple of afternoons in the pools riding the flumes, including the Master Blaster and Space Bowl, a dizzying spiral slide ending with a huge plug hole several feet above the water's surface. We smiled at the irony as we bobbed among artificial waves, while just 50 yards away was the ocean and somewhat bigger and real ones.

Butlins has embraced the 21st Century full-on and the accommodation is a perfect example.
Our room was a Columbus Suite up on the top floor of the Shoreline Hotel on the seafront.
A bunk at one end with a TV and DVD player made the kids ecstatic.

At the far end was our large double bed. We had a fabulous view, which could be enjoyed all the more by stepping out on to the balcony.

A TV and DVD player of our own meant we didn't have to endure High School Musical.
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Breakfast in the hotels is a huge buffet serving up delights including full English breakfasts, fruit cocktail and chocolate muffins.

My son's football coaching session with Portsmouth Football Club staff coincided with a downpour. Not once did the rain let up, but neither did the enthusiasm of Pompey's Darren and Matt or the huddle of seven to nine-year-olds, as they perfected their skills.
At the final whistle a soggy ceremony saw them receive a certificate and a medal.
As the rain continued, we caught a film at the on-site cinema.

When the clouds finally dispersed, we took the opportunity to explore Bognor.
There are some pretty parks to wander around with pitch and putt golf courses.
Not too further a field are Chichester, with its quaint harbour, and Arundel, with its ancient castle.

Heading east along the beach one morning, we stopped off at the Lobster Pot Café, a Sixties survivor with chintzy tablecloths and retro décor, where we slurped at our ice creams.

In truth we had no need or inclination to wander far from the hotel. We giggled at the borderline cheesiness of the Skyline Pavilion with its toddler shows and arcades.
On our last night we went to Reds, the Redcoats' own on-site theatre, and watched another show.

Acts included a take on James Bond songs and BGT's Kate and Gin, so the oldies and the tiddlers all went to bed happy.

FACT FILE

PRICES at Shoreline Hotel, Butlins, Bognor Regis start from £60 per person based on a family of four sharing a Hook's Cabin on a room only basis. To book call 0845 070 4730 or visit butlins.com.

This year, acts from The X Factor and Britain's Got Talent will be appearing together at Butlins resorts in Skegness, Bognor Regis and Minehead.

Stars include Stacey, Danyl, Lloyd, Jamie, Lucie, Rachel and Miss Frank with Stavros Flatley and George Sampson. Faces from this year's BGT show will appear from July.