Tumble Time

Justin Fletcher will stage a theatre show where he tells the life story of his most popular character, Mr Tumble.

15:31 03 July 2015

Justin Fletcher is the biggest star on British children’s TV. He has been on screens for more than 20 years and now has a new live show. Ahead of his theatre show, which tells the story of his most popular character, Mr Tumble, he answers questions that many fans are eager to know. 

 

Is there a child actor playing Master Tumble?

 

Yes. We've got a little chap I worked with on one of my other programmes, Gigglebiz. In fact, we've got two actors. And we've got some other lovely character actors - we've got Ronni Ancona coming in to play the headmistress of the school, so that should be good fun.

 

Do you still enjoy being on children's TV?

 

Oh, I love it. The reaction we get from the children, the families, the teachers, everyone, is incredible. When you get emails daily saying: "My child has spoken for the first time after watching this programme," it's a very important thing, and it's important that we carry on this programme. It helps so many children.

 

Do children or parents get more excited when they spot you in real life?

 

I don't know. I'll get lots of people shouting across the road. I might be in the supermarket or whatever and they'll go: "Hi Mr Tumble!"

 

I went to a fete with my niece, and we were walking into the entrance to the fete and someone went: "Hey Mr Tumble!" And Lara said to me: "Is Mr Tumble here? Where is he? We've got to go and see him quick." And I was thinking: "Wow, we need to find a phone box because I need to change."

 

What do you do in your spare time?

 

I'm 45 now, and, as you get older, when you do all the falls and slapstick work and go onto crash mats, you get a bit slow at getting up, because it is a very physical, demanding role.

 

I've got a lovely family around me. I do country walks. I go fishing a bit. I take the dogs for a walk. I visit friends, and I'm trying to give myself a bit more time off, but it always seems to fail because I am a bit of a workaholic.

 

How many cars have you got?

 

I've got a couple of prop cars. They're two minis - they've been cut in half and then put back together so they're tiny. They've got little eyes as well. And I've got five 1950s bumper cars. And I've got a little MGB. So I tinker around with those cars when I've got a minute.