WHEN his red nose is painted on, Justin Fletcher transforms into your child’s favourite star, Mr Tumble, bringing joy and laughter to millions.
But for years, when the cameras stopped rolling and the waistcoat came off, the 55-year-old was trapped in what pals called a ‘desperately sad life’ and was often said to head to the pub during his ‘lonely’ downtime away from hordes of screaming kids.
Life was very different for Justin Fletcher before things turned romantic with Samantha Credit: Alamy
The pair now enjoy the simple things in life in his home near Reading Credit: Instagram
Of course, everything changed for the entertainer just over a year ago when his friendship
Almost overnight, his reclusive existence came to an end as he moved Sam, 34, into his £2.5million farmhouse and for the first time was able to enjoy the quiet life with someone else.
But insiders tell us things were very different before he met his match.
They explained: “Justin has made no secret of the fact that his life was just about work. His days would be spent filming or touring, but if he did get downtime, he was often seen at various pubs around Reading.
“He would always be on his own and wasn’t bothered by anyone because he does look quite different without a huge smile plastered on his face.
“There were whispers, though – he was considered somewhat of a loner, and people could be quite cruel with some of the comments about him.”
It’s perhaps not surprising that people struggle to understand Justin. He has lived most of his life in the limelight, while shrouded in mystery – he very rarely agrees to be interviewed.
As a journalist, I have witnessed firsthand during CBeebies events how he refuses to engage with the press – he is often the last to arrive and first to leave.
In a very rare interview in 2016 on , he told how watching in the broom cupboard had been a lightning bolt moment for him.
He said: “It was my third year at drama school and I met Phillip. He very kindly gave me some advice and he said, ‘go out there and make a showreel, get it out into the ether’, and I did. I got my job about three weeks later. My first job. You are my inspiration.”
Our insider added: “Justin’s life is making kids happy, he was also desperate to start his own family but aside from his nearest family members, he doesn’t really socialise with anyone.
“It was a huge surprise when he did settle down, especially because he had known Sam for so long. But everyone is delighted he now has company.”
Even Samantha’s dad – Stuart Dorrance, who is just nine years old than Justin – has given his seal of approval, saying: “They’re very happy. We’re happy. And that’s all that matters really.”
Samantha was 23 when she landed the role of silly best friend Tootsie in The Tale of Mr Tumble in 2015.
Insiders said romance blossomed last year, with Samantha moving into his six-bedroom home in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire. It is the first public relationship for the workaholic star, who is said to have banked £2million from TV success.
We’re told solo pub visits are now very much out of the window, and the pair spend most of the downtime holed up at home.
On social media, Samantha refers only to “her partner” and does not tag Justin publicly.
She shared a number of pictures from the gardens of the 17th-century pile, including Justin’s conservatory and his lake.
On March 20, she wrote: “Last year, me and my partner hatched our own chickens. I was making breakfast one morning and noticed all the eggs we had been buying from our local honesty box were fertilised. My partner just so happened to have an old incubator, so we dug it out.”
Samantha first hinted at their relationship last August, posting photos from the farm and writing on Instagram: “The little things. Dancing on the beach at sunset, planting seeds on a lazy afternoon and hanging with our glorious chickens.”
The pair have recently been touring together but now have some time off Credit: Instagram
Justin has taken his foot off the gas a bit work-wise and will be performing less Credit: Alamy
Justin has previously spoken about struggling to find love but said he had to bat off proposals from mums, saying: “I might have got an email or two.”
In 2012, he admitted he was keen to settle down, but had struggled to meet the one.
He said: “I’m not married, live alone and have been single for a while now because I’ve been a workaholic filming Something Special, Justin’s House and Gigglebiz. But I do want to free up some time for myself and my family. I’d love to have children, so I need to find someone who likes kids. A couple of kids would be lovely.”
His family – he has three sisters and a brother, as well as nieces and nephews now – all live near him, and he’s known to be incredibly close to them all.
Justin and Samantha have been on tour for the past few weeks, but have just finished their latest run. Justin Live: Justin Time to Rock! has seen the pair performing over 30 shows across the country.
Our insider added: “While in the past time off would have seen Justin twiddling his thumbs and heading to the pub, these days are very different.
“Sam and Justin will now be making the most of their break in schedule.
“Justin has freed up more time recently after slightly letting go of the reins a bit with Something Special, and it’s had a really positive impact on his personal life.
Samantha has already moved in with Justin and the pair are inseparable Credit: NC
Sam is also on cloud nine – and her parents are very happy for her
“It has made a huge difference having Sam with him on the road.”
The couple have just over a month off, and then Justin will be touring again this summer. He has opted to only do selected dates on the CBeebies House Party Live tour – he will appear in Aberdeen on July 24th, Derby, Hull, London, Stockton and York.
Samantha is not part of the tour, but his reduced schedule means he will have lots of time to return home.
It marks a big shift for the star, who has both written and directed the live show, but has now taken a step back in terms of performing.
Justin started performing before Samantha was born, with him studying drama at the Guildford School of Acting in Surrey from 1990.
He started his career at the BBC in 1999, voicing characters on the Tweenies and presenting on the pre-school kids’ show Tikkabilla.
But it was Something Special, on which he plays Mr Tumble, that really cemented his place as a kids’ TV legend when he kicked off in 2003.
The clown-like character is known for his slapstick and pretends to use magic to send devices such as his Spotty Bag and Tumble Tapp to friends.
It is the longest-running CBeebies show and introduces Makaton, a language programme that uses signs, symbols and speech.
Justin said the series, aimed at children with communication difficulties, is his proudest work. He told parents: “Don’t be afraid to learn Makaton.”
Something Special has earned him two Bafta TV awards and saw him awarded an MBE for services to children’s broadcasting and the voluntary sector in 2008.
Last January, Justin stepped back as a main presenter on the show but will still appear as Mr Tumble.
Sales of his Something Special DVDs are understood to have exceeded 100,000, netting him around £1million alone.
Speaking about his love of his job, he said: “People used to say that children’s TV was a stepping stone to ‘better and bigger things,’ but it was never like that for me. My first love is creating children’s TV. I’ve been doing it for 20 years, and I’m passionate about it.”
The insider added: “Kids TV will always be Justin’s first love, but the fact he has found someone as obsessed with it as him truly is a match made in heaven. And she’s probably one of the only people who won’t get the ick over Mr Tumble and his spotty bag.”
Justin Fletcher’s reps have been contacted for comment.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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