In the realm of children’s television, a prominent figure that shines bright is Mr Tumble, but what about the individual behind this widely recognized name? Justin Fletcher, a 55-year-old performer, has long kept his personal life discreet. However, recent revelations have unveiled his romantic involvement with a fellow cast member, Samantha Dorrance, who portrays Tootsie, the best friend of his alter-ego on Something Special. Despite a significant 20-year age gap, the duo is reportedly deeply in love and cohabiting in Justin’s lavish £2.5 million farmhouse. Images capturing their first public appearance together showed them checking into The Mount Country Manor Hotel & Golf in Wolverhampton.
According to an insider cited by The Sun, Justin and Samantha’s circle of friends is ecstatic about their blossoming romance. For Justin, Samantha is ‘The One’. After a period of being single, Justin rekindled a connection with Samantha, and their relationship has flourished ever since. The couple’s close ones, as well as their fellow performers on tour, are aware of their relationship and are delighted to witness Justin’s newfound happiness. The farm serves as a peaceful retreat for the couple when they are not entertaining audiences, providing them with contentment and joy.
Samantha, who made her debut in Dreamboats and Petticoats as a teenager, landed the role of Tootsie more than ten years ago. Over the years, the pair has shared the stage in various pantomimes. During a festive production of Cinderella nearly two years ago, Samantha posted a photo with Justin, referring to him as “my partner.” She occasionally mentions Justin on social media without using his name, opting for the term ‘partner’ instead. Last year, she recounted an incident involving hatching chickens with her partner on Instagram, showcasing snippets of their life together on the farm.
In a previous interview with the Mirror back in 2012, Justin opened up about his quest for love. Despite being single for a considerable period due to his busy filming schedule, he expressed his desire to create time for himself and potentially start a family. Justin also humorously mentioned receiving marriage proposals, indicating his popularity among certain admirers.
Commencing his career at the BBC in 1999, Justin ventured into voicing characters for shows like Tweenies and hosting the preschool series Tikkabilla. The inception of Something Special in 2003 marked a significant milestone in his career, where he assumed the role of Mr Tumble, making it the longest-standing CBeebies program featuring Makaton, a language system aiding children with communication challenges.
Justin’s contributions to children’s television have been recognized with two Bafta TV awards for Something Special and an MBE in 2008 for his dedication to children’s broadcasting and the voluntary sector. Apart from his iconic portrayal of Mr Tumble, Justin has lent his voice to various other beloved characters in shows like Tweenies, Finley the Fire Engine, CBeebies’ Boo!, Shaun the Sheep, and Thomas the Tank Engine.
Growing up surrounded by renowned musicians, Justin drew inspiration from his upbringing, infusing his TV characters with musical influences. His father, Guy Fletcher, a songwriter for notable artists like Cliff Richard and Elvis Presley, played a pivotal role in shaping Justin’s artistic inclinations. Justin reflected on his musical heritage, highlighting his interactions with Sir Cliff Richard and reminiscing about his father’s songwriting successes for Elvis Presley.
Justin’s endearing characters have not only captured the hearts of audiences but also translated into a lucrative enterprise, with his