FRANCESCA Fox says she’s thankful she’s been able to use the skills she developed to compete at the London 2012 Olympics in her new role as a swashbuckler.

The 21-year-old, from Hilperton, and her self-funded squad wrote their names in the history books two years ago as they became the first rhythmic gymnastics team to represent Great Britain at the Olympic Games.

Now Fox is now putting her dexterity to use in the performance world.

Last month the Wiltshire gymnast jetted back to Majorca for her second season playing ‘Captain Scarlett’ in the Pirates Adventure show.

“Someone approached me after the Games to see if I’d be interested and I spent a season out there being in the show last summer – I’m one of the main characters and I’ve really enjoyed it,” said Fox, who is also the rhythmic coach for the West Wilts Esprit Gymnastics Club in Trowbridge.

“I’m getting to become more of an acrobat now and I already knew how to perform with a hoop but I’ve also learned how to do aerial silk.

“Getting used to speaking has been different but it’s something that I’ve got used to as well.

“There aren’t too many jobs where you can use what you’ve learned to do as a gymnast, so I’m pretty lucky.”

Fox and her Team GB team spent the best part of two years training full-time at the University of Bath to reach London 2012.

In the build-up to the games, they were plunged into a selection row with British Gymnastics over their initial decision not to nominate the team for the host place at the games but after winning an appeal, the Team GB girls realised their Olympic dream and went on to finish 12th in the women’s group competition.

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