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Justin Fletcher

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For the ice hockey player, see Justin Fletcher (ice hockey).

Justin Fletcher
MBE
Fletcher at CBeebies Land in 2014
Born (1970-06-15) 15 June 1970 (age 54)
Reading, Berkshire, England
Occupations
  • Actor
  • comedian
  • presenter
Notable workFun Song Factory
Tweenies
Boo!
Tikkabilla
Something Special
Shaun the Sheep
Gigglebiz
Justin's House
Tumble Travels
Tiny Tumble
Jollywobbles
GiggleQuiz
AwardsBAFTA Children's Awards 2008 Best Presenter

Justin Fletcher MBE (born 15 June 1970)[1] is an English actor, comedian, singer and television presenter on the BBC pre-school television channel CBeebies.[2] Speaking and performing in various, often self-created, roles, he specialises in slapstick comedy and works with children with special needs through his show Something Special. Fletcher also appears as the award-winning comedian Mr Tumble.

Biography

Fletcher was born on 15 June 1970 in Reading, Berkshire, the son of Guy Fletcher. He has three sisters and one brother. He attended Theale Green School. He currently lives in Winnersh, Wokingham, Berkshire.[3]

Career

Fletcher worked for Sounds Good in Theale as a cassette duplicating machine operator and generally amused his co-workers with his characterisations.

While in his final year studying drama at the Guildford School of Acting, Fletcher started to regularly watch Phillip Schofield in the BBC One broom cupboard with Gordon the Gopher and decided that a career in children's television was for him.[4] He then met Phillip Schofield, who suggested that he should make a show reel to showcase to television executives.

He sketched out various comedic characters and put together a Showreel called Justin Time which encompassed two different characters: Anna Conda, a myopic reptile-house warden; and Arthur Sleep, a regional newsreader who has difficulty staying awake and can sleep anywhere no matter what.[4] Both characters were used for his CBeebies show Gigglebiz.[4] His first television show after graduation was Fun Song Factory for GMTV, working with Dave Benson Phillips (he had earlier done Playdays on the stage after its cancellation, portraying the character Mr. Jolly).[5] The television show was sent to various broadcasters and production companies.

BBC and CBeebies

He was part of the Tikkabilla programme, out of which was spun Higgledy House, a slapstick comedy for children with Sarah-Jane Honeywell, which progressed to the very popular Mr Tumble. Fletcher has also voiced the characters of Doodles and Jake in Tweenies, Miguel in Finley the Fire Engine, Sleeping Bear and Growling Tiger in CBeebies' Boo!, and additional voices in Todd World, Shaun the Sheep, and Timmy Time. In 2006, Fletcher became a presenter on CBeebies but left in 2007.

Fletcher developed Something Special through his own production company, and he presents it while signing in a type of sign language called Makaton.[6]

In November 2008, CBeebies aired three different pilots made by Fletcher, with the possibility of one of them becoming a full-time series. They were called Humphrey the Painter, Gigglebiz, and Captain Adorable. In January 2009, an announcement by CBeebies was made that Gigglebiz would become the regular show, starting in September 2009, with the Humphrey and Captain Adorable characters being included, which was now a series of character-based comedy sketches linked by jokes told by children.[4][7]

His voice-over work for CBBC includes voicing Harold from Thomas the Tank Engine, which he has performed on BBC Radio 4, arena tour, and pantomime. Fletcher is a relief continuity presenter for CBeebies' presentation links and regularly performed on the CBeebies radio station on BBC Radio 7 until its change to BBC Radio 4 Extra in 2011.

Fletcher also appears as himself, along with a range of animated characters, in the Bee Bright series of award-winning educational DVDs.[8]

Fletcher also occasionally appears in a show called The Hollies School.

Justin's House

In October 2011, CBeebies began broadcasting Justin's House, starring Fletcher with Steven Kynman[9] as "Robert the Robot" and Jane Deane as "Dee Livery".[10] The show is based in Justin's fictional house and recorded live in front of a studio audience.

Ratings

Episode ratings from BARB:[11]

Episode no. Airdate Total viewers Share CBeebies weekly ranking
1 8 October 2011 675,000 7.1% 2
2 9 October 2011 716,000 7.8% 1
3 15 October 2011 535,000 6.0% 5
4 16 October 2011 744,000 7.8% 1
5 22 October 2011 570,000 6.8% 6
6 23 October 2011 715,000 6.3% 1
7 29 October 2011 634,000 4.2% 1
8 30 October 2011 497,000 8.0% 5
9 5 November 2011 464,000 5.3% 5
10 6 November 2011 527,000 5.7% 1
11 12 November 2011 526,000 6.7% 6
12 13 November 2011 Under 485,000 3.3% Outside Top 10
13 19 November 2011 537,000 6.5% 4
14 20 November 2011 Under 497,000 5.8% Outside Top 10
15 26 November 2011 Under 461,000 5.5% Outside Top 10
16 27 November 2011 489,000 5.4% 4
17 3 December 2011 Under 486,000 6.1% Outside Top 10
18 4 December 2011 510,000 4.0% 5
19 10 December 2011 409,000 6.3% 3
20 11 December 2011 572,000 6.1% 1
23 15 December 2011 800,000 6.4% 2
21 17 December 2011 Under 581,000 6.3% Outside Top 10
22 18 December 2011 Under 581,000 3.3% Outside Top 10

Other work

Starting in 1998, Fletcher presented the Fun Song Factory for the GMTV series for a year as his first full-time presenting role. He later returned to the show in 2004 as the voice of Ozzy.

Also in 1998, Fletcher sang several songs as well as the theme tune to the children's stop motion animated series Tom and Vicky.

He owns a production company called Scrumptious House, which has released a DVD called Let's Sing Nursery Rhymes with Justin Fletcher.

In the CITV channel programme Jim Jam and Sunny, he is the voice of both Jim Jam and Slim the cowardly giraffe.

His voice appears on the VTech Alphabet Desk, Turn and Learn Driver and the Bob the Builder phones, the children's train ride at Animal Farm Country Park near Burnham-on-Sea, and a number of Crick Software titles.[12]

From December 2009 to January 2010, Fletcher played the character Buttons in Cinderella at the Capitol Theatre in Horsham, West Sussex.[13] From December 2010 to January 2011, he played the character Josh the Jester in the pantomime Sleeping Beauty at The Hexagon theatre in Reading, Berkshire.[14] From December 2011 to January 2012, he played the character Wishy Washy in the pantomime Aladdin at the Hexagon theatre in Reading.[15] In recent years, he has performed in numerous pantomimes at the venue, including Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Beauty & The Beast, and Peter Pan.[16] In 2022, Fletcher will be returning to the Hexagon to star in Jack & The Beanstalk. He also attends festivals, such as Camp Bestival in Dorset, to entertain children. Justin is a patron for Bournemouth-based performing arts school Stagewise.

His debut album Hands Up the Album reached number 16 in the UK Albums Chart on 11 March 2012. In March 2013, he released his second album Best Friends. In January 2015, he released his third album Just Party.

On 12 September 2015, he appeared on Pointless Celebrities and got knocked out in the second round.

Fletcher presented a daily radio show on Fun Kids weekdays from 9 am to 10 am called Justin's Word.

Awards

Orders of Chivalry

Fletcher was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2008 Birthday Honours for services to "children's broadcasting and the voluntary sector".[17]

Professional awards

  • Nominated as Best Presenter for Something Special
  • BAFTA Children's Awards 2008[19]
  • Awarded Best Presenter for Something Special
  • BAFTA Childrens Awards 2009[20]
  • Awarded Best Presenter for Something Special and Bee Bright
  • BAFTA Children's Awards 2010[21]
  • Awarded Best Presenter for Something Special
  • Nominated Best Performer for Gigglebiz
  • BAFTA Children's Awards 2011[22]
  • Nominated Best Presenter for Something Special
  • BAFTA Children's Awards 2012[23]
  • Awarded the Flynn Rossiter award for entertainment

Filmography

Years Programme/project Role
1998–2004 Fun Song Factory Himself (Presenter), Ozzy (voice only, 2004 version)
1999–2002 Tweenies Jake, Doodles (voices only)
1999 Legoland Jonathan Ablebody (voice only)
2000 Frogger 2: Swampy's Revenge Swampy (voice only)
Chicken Run (video game) Rocky, Fetcher (voices only)
2002–07 Tikkabilla Himself (Presenter)
2003–2006 Boo! Growling Tiger, Sleeping Bear (voices only)
2007–10 CBeebies on BBC Radio 7 Himself (Presenter)
2002 Higgledy House Himself
2002–2009 Make Way for Noddy Whiz (UK dub)
2003–present Something Special Himself, Mr Tumble, various characters
2006–07 CBeebies Continuity Links Himself (Presenter)
2006 ToddWorld Pickle (UK dub), Additional voices
CBeebies Springwatch Himself (Presenter)
Jim Jam and Sunny Jim Jam, Slim the Cowardly Giraffe (voices only)
2007–present Shaun the Sheep Shaun, Timmy (Season 1-present), Pidsley (season 1-2) (voices only)
2008 Famous 5: On the Case Timmy, Smidgie (voices only) [24]
2007 Finley the Fire Engine Miguel, other characters (UK dub, voices only)
2008 Green Balloon Club Himself (Original Workprints & Launch Pilot)
2009–2018 Gigglebiz Various characters
2009–12 Timmy Time Timmy, Yabba the Duck, Paxton the Pig, Kid the Goat, Finlay the Fox (voices only)
2010 Jollywobbles Mr Jolly
2011 Olly the Little White Van Olly (voice only)
2011– Justin's House Himself
2015 Shaun the Sheep Movie Shaun, Timmy (voices only)
Shaun the Sheep: The Farmer's Llamas
2019 A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon
GiggleQuiz Various characters
2021 Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas Shaun, Timmy (voices only)

Live performances

  • 1997, as Mr. Jolly (live stage show only)
  • Justin's Party Tour[30]
  • 2017, playing 27 theatres over 31 days

References

  1. ^ "Children's TV star appointed MBE". BBC News. 13 June 2008. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  2. ^ "BBC CBeebies website". 20 September 2009. Archived from the original on 13 March 2017. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  3. ^ "BBC - CBeebies Presenters - Justin". Archived from the original on 3 March 2009. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  4. ^ a b c d "Interview: Justin Fletcher on Gigglebiz". CBeeBies. Archived from the original on 7 September 2011. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  5. ^ "Interview: Justin Fletcher". CBBC. Archived from the original on 7 September 2011. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  6. ^ "Justin Fletcher is Something Special". 12 November 2008. Archived from the original on 15 March 2012. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  7. ^ "Gigglebiz Homepage". 20 September 2009. Archived from the original on 9 January 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  8. ^ "Bee Bright". Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  9. ^ "BBC - CBeebies - Justin's House". Archived from the original on 13 January 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  10. ^ "Jane Deane Home Page". Archived from the original on 25 November 2010. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  11. ^ "Top 10 Programmes - BARB". Archived from the original on 18 July 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  12. ^ "Clicker Books @home". Archived from the original on 31 May 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  13. ^ Hewitt, Phil (4 December 2009). "PANTOMIME: All the major pantos in West Sussex and further afield". Midhurst and Petworth Observer. Johnston Press Digital Publishing. Retrieved 31 December 2009.
  14. ^ "Justin Fletcher to star in Hexagon panto". 3 March 2010. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  15. ^ "Madge Bishop to star alongside Justin Fletcher in Aladdin". Archived from the original on 6 November 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  16. ^ "Aladdin 2018". www.readingarts.com. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  17. ^ "No. 58729". The London Gazette (Supplement). 14 June 2008. p. 16.
  18. ^ "Past Winners and Nominees - Children's - Awards - 2007". BAFTA. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
  19. ^ "Past Winners and Nominees - Children's - Awards - 2008". BAFTA. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
  20. ^ . Bee Bright [http/beebright.co.uk/shop/justin.html http/beebright.co.uk/shop/justin.html]. Retrieved 4 March 2021. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)
  21. ^ "Past Winners and Nominees - Children's - Awards - 2010". BAFTA. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
  22. ^ "Past Winners and Nominees - Children's - Awards - 2011". BAFTA. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  23. ^ "Past Winners and Nominees - Children's - Awards - 2012". BAFTA. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
  24. ^ "Justin Fletcher IMDB Profile". IMDb. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  25. ^ Thomas H Green (31 July 2009). "Camp Bestival: punks, travellers and my mum and dad". The Daily Telegraph. London, England. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  26. ^ "Ellie Goulding, Tinie Tempah and The Gruffalo for Camp Bestival". eFestivals. Bristol, England: NRG Internet Ltd. 18 May 2010. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  27. ^ "Fall in love with Mr Tumble at Harvest at Jimmy's". East Anglian Daily Times. Ipswich, England: Archant. 26 August 2011. Archived from the original on 22 April 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  28. ^ "Camp Bestival '12". eFestivals. Bristol, England: NRG Internet Ltd. 24 July 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  29. ^ Sketchanet. "Camp Bestival 2016 - Kids - Mr Tumble". Retrieved 21 May 2016.
  30. ^ "Justin's Party 2017". Imagine Theatre. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  31. ^ Butlin's [@Butlins] (3 January 2017). "This week is Just For Tots week! We can't wait to work with Justin Fletcher in #Butlins2017 and on our very first J…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
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