Known as Cliff Richard and the Drifters, the group consisted of, Cliff, Ian Samwell (lead guitar) and Terry Smart (drums); their mentor/manager, Johnny Foster, made up the group, not musically, but as part of the payroll which was in the princely sum of £25 per week (less agents commission) between them all. Having no stage clothes the Entertainment Manager issued special red flash sports shirts, usually worn by the Redcoats. These shirts were originally designed for Redcoats to wear on outside sporting events to enable them to remove their red jackets and still be recognisable as Redcoats.

Prior to their arrival at Clacton, the group had cut their first demo-disc in a recording booth in Oxford Street, London, thanks to the promotional efforts of Johnny Foster and a loan of £10 from his mother. The song called 'Move It', written by Ian Samwell, was to be the start of something much bigger for Cliff and the boys. Their recording had been heard by the right people, and arrangements were made for them to appear in the original 'Oh Boy' show. This virtually ended their Butlin engagement and it was mutually agreed that their contract should be terminated. Almost immediately 'Move It' was released by Columbia Records and went to number two in the charts.

To dispel any rumours, Hank Marvin and Bruce Welch were never at Butlin's. They were hired later by Cliff when, or at about the time the name was changed to Cliff Richard & the Shadows.

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