‘He’s a magician, isn’t he?’: the audience is Mr Tumble, the king of children’ TV | Children’s TV

AAfter a long, hot, summer day’s journey, we arrive at Mr Tumble’s house (which today’s filming is in the Oxfordshire countryside), and suddenly everything looks like it does on TV. There are polka-dotted flags, a plush sofa and – in the middle of it all – Mr Tumble in his orange shirt, yellow trousers and red nose. As my 11-year-old daughter, Molly, rushes to greet the children’s broadcasting giant, I don’t know who feels more excited: her or me.

We’re here to watch the filming of the latest episode of Something Special, the CBeebies showing especially the purpose of children who are slow to learn and communicate skills, although all children like to love. Its star Mr Tumble, AKA Justin Fletcher, stops by to show us his iconic gadgets: the Tumble Tapp – his specially adapted iPad – and the Spotty Bag. We sit on the Tumble Sofa and, as we sing and sign along to the famous Hello Song, I’ve never felt more pressured to sing: “Hello, hello. How are you? Hello, hello. Good to see you … Molly.”

Mr. Tumble added: “Good write-up, Dad. I’ve never felt so proud. Mr. Tumble has been on my bucket list of interviewees. He’s a hero to Molly, making her my first hero, too.”

Molly has special educational needs and disabilities (Send it). His neurodivergence includes speech, language and developmental delays Something Special helps. But he’s constantly learning and growing, and he’s one of the smartest, most curious, and – most importantly – funniest kids you’ll ever meet. His party trick is to ask questions to everyone he meets: “What’s your name?”; “What color is your front door?”; “Do you have a dog?”; “What did you eat this morning?”

Raising a Missionary Child in today’s politics is not easy. In December, the Guardian reported this councils in England spent more than £100m trying to stop aid to Send children, although they succeed in only 1.2% of cases. The number of Sent Tribunals is also increasing, from 13,083 in the year to June 2023 to 20,102 in the year to June 2024. In a survey of charity Sense, 45% of parents They said that the Send Reform in England made them worry that their children would lose their legal protection. So anything that makes raising a Send child a little easier is a godsend.

First aired on BBC in 2003, Something Special is the brainchild of BBC producer and former Send teacher, Allan Johnston. What makes it so compelling for many children is the use of Makaton sign language, which was developed in the 70’s and replaces words with easy-to-understand gestures. You can take Makaton from books and online courses, but learning from the show – as we are – is much more fun. Before you know it, you’ll be signing effortlessly: “Cow” (make a horn) “behind” (Keep hands) “red” (sore lips) “mine” (draw a circle).

Another secret weapon of the show is Fletcher. In Something Special he takes on an extra role, playing Mr Tumble, Grandad Tumble, Lord Tumble, Fisherman Tumble, Baker Tumble and Aunt Polly – who appear together through the magic of a picture. Fletcher also appears as himself – Justin – in the scene when he goes to the real world to meet Send children – the biggest stars of the show. His work on Something Special won him three Baftas and an MBE in 2008 for his contribution to children’s broadcasting.

After settling down, Molly jumped up to hug Mr Tumble, told him she loved him, and ran off to pick him some flowers. Penguin pebbling – giving small, meaningful gifts as a way of showing affection – is common in neurodivergent children. He said: “Put it in the water. “I will,” says Mr. Tumble. There’s only a short time to draw, so we don’t want to be late. As we say goodbye – although it’s time to meet again – Mr Tumble pretends to fall on the tent for us to enjoy and, phew, what a day.

“He’s a magician, isn’t he?” says Anna Perowne, executive producer of BBC Studios Kids & Family Productions, as we zoom in to discuss my journey with Molly’s witch. “Mr Tumble’s acting is universal because everything Justin does as an actor is romantic,” continues Perowne. “I laugh out loud when Mr. Tumble puts his foot in the bucket and falls, because it’s funny.”

It’s not just Mr Tumble that’s popular: his props are too. “I was standing in the garden, concentrating on my work, and I saw eyes looking at me,” says Sheila Chatrath, a journalist. “I turned around and a crowd of young people were saying: ‘Is that Spotty Bag?’ You are constantly reminded of the importance of Something Special for children, parents and grandparents, thanks to the passion and dedication of the BBC. “

The latest series also introduces CBeebies presenters Maddie Moate, Ben Cajee and George Webster. For Moate, this meant learning Makaton with the help of The Makaton Charity, who have worked with Something Special since day one. “Makaton sank well because most of the signs are what you would expect,” he says. He shows what he likes – “the caterpillar” – by crawling with one hand up his other arm. I show Molly’s favorite thing – “helicopter” – by spinning the palm on the other finger.

Webster has Down’s syndrome, and grew up with a language delay, so he met Makaton. He said: “Even my friends at school took part in it. They feel it’s “surreal” to work with Fletcher. “Mr Tumble was my hero growing up, and now we’re friends.”

Six months later and I’m scared again. It’s just after Christmas, and I’m back at Reading’s Imagine theatre, a quick meet and greet with Fletcher – where he starred in the Beauty and the Beast panto, albeit as Justin Fletcher, not Mr Tumble.

Does Fletcher consider people confusing his two characters? He said: “I was very used to people calling me ‘Justin’ or ‘Mr Tumble’. “I was walking past Windsor Castle, going to collect my MBE, and one of the guards acknowledged me simply by saying: ‘Mr Tumble.’ It really made me laugh.” Then there is the rumor that he always refuses to marry very happy women. “I might have an email or two,” he smiles.

Fast forward to early spring, and I’m sitting on the sofa at home with Molly, watching an episode of Something Special that we saw being filmed. “Rain!” says Molly, twirling one finger around the other (Tumbles are so special, they have their own Makaton logo). Look, we’re sitting on the Crippled Sofa! I’m shouting. We carry the Tumble Tapp and Spotted Bag! Even on the other side of television, here we all are, rebooting.

Something Special is on CBeebies and BBC iPlayer.