CBeebies Star Justin Fletcher Finds Love and a Family Life at 55
For millions of children across Australia and beyond, Justin Fletcher is a familiar and beloved face. As the energetic and colourful Mr Tumble, he brings laughter and entertainment to households every day. However, behind the playful persona, the 55-year-old star has harboured a long-held personal dream: to have a family of his own. Now, it appears Justin has achieved his own version of a “happily ever after,” a sentiment often echoed at the end of his widely popular CBeebies shows.
Justin has found love with his co-star, Samantha Dorrance, who is 34. The couple have been living together quietly at his impressive £2.5 million country mansion located in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire. This chapter marks a significant shift from a decade ago, when Justin openly admitted to being a self-confessed workaholic, confessing he had prioritised his career over personal relationships for a solid 20 years.
The driving force behind the longest-running CBeebies show of all time, Justin has dedicated an immense amount of focus to the character of Mr Tumble, who first made his debut on screens in 2004. This unwavering commitment has not only cemented his place in children’s television history but has also cultivated a highly successful brand. It is estimated that Justin’s ventures have amassed him a net worth exceeding £1.5 million.
The commercial success of his “Something Special” franchise is undeniable. Sales of his DVDs alone are reported to have surpassed 100,000 units, reportedly generating approximately £1 million for the star. Furthermore, an accompanying magazine is said to contribute a substantial £180,000 per month to his earnings.
Justin has wisely invested a significant portion of this fortune into his idyllic property. His six-bedroom house and surrounding farm now serve as a shared sanctuary with Samantha.
For many years, Justin remained famously single. In interviews, any inquiries about his romantic life or personal relationships were often met with lighthearted jokes about receiving marriage proposals from adoring mothers. However, beneath the surface of these jovial responses, Justin always yearned for a deeper connection and a family.
In a rare glimpse into his life away from the cameras, Justin spoke to The Mirror in 2012 about his aspirations for a family.
- “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,” he explained at the time.
- “But I do want to free up some time for myself and my family.
- “I would love to have children so need to find someone who likes kids. A couple of kids would be lovely.”
It appears Justin has been making a conscious effort to embrace a slower pace of life. Last year, he stepped back from his role as the primary presenter for the BAFTA award-winning show “Something Special.” The baton has now been passed to new presenters, Maddie Moate, Ben Cajee, and George Webster. However, Justin remains actively involved, continuing to bring to life multiple beloved characters, including Mr Tumble, Grandad Tumble, Lord Tumble, Fisherman Tumble, Baker Tumble, and Aunt Polly, in various episodes.
Samantha, meanwhile, has evolved from being just a valued colleague to a significant partner in Justin’s life. The talented actress, singer, and songwriter first joined Justin’s professional circle when she secured the role of the playful best friend, Tootsie, in “The Tale of Mr Tumble” back in 2015. At the time, she was just 23 years old.
Eleven years on, the pair are reportedly deeply in love and are even touring together with Justin’s “Justin Live: Justin Time to Rock!” tour. A source close to the couple recently shared with the Daily Mail that Justin and Samantha are “madly in love and couldn’t be happier.”
- “Although there is an age gap, it isn’t an issue between them. For Justin, Samantha is ‘the one’,” the source revealed.
- “The farm is their sanctuary and where they both feel happiest. Friends know about the relationship, as well as their castmates on the tour.”
The source further elaborated that their romance “blossomed” last year, with Samantha moving into Justin’s spacious six-bedroom home shortly thereafter.
While Samantha maintains a degree of privacy on social media, refraining from directly tagging Justin, she frequently posts photographs from his country estate and affectionately refers to him as “her partner.”
In March, Samantha shared an exciting development in their shared life on the farm, excitedly detailing their new additions: “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.” This heartwarming anecdote underscores the burgeoning family life they are building together.
