Mummy and Me Magazine August 2014 October-November 2014 | Page 21

It is a show I feel very passionate about because
I have realized how important this is particularly
to promote signing. It’s great to engage with the
children and to meet them because kids love
that. The feedback has also been amazing. I
often have parents telling me stories of how
crucial the show has been in aiding their child’s
development. Even how after watching the show
their child has spoke for the first time. So the
show is really important.
Did you have to learn makaton sign language for
the show?
Yes, I was an absolute novice and in the space
of 2 weeks had to learn about 300 different signs.
We work very closely with the Makaton Charity
and the crew are really helpful too so I’m learning
all the time.
So, next Easter you go on tour bringing Mr
Tumble and all our favourite characters along
with you. The tour is called Mr Tumble’s Circus.
Tell us more about the circus theme…
A few years ago we toured with Justin and
Friends - Justin’s House. So this time we decided
to bring the much loved character of Mr Tumble.
As he’s a clown, a circus seemed the obvious
theme. I’m really excited about being on tour,
you can’t beat the buzz of a live show in front of
thousands of people. There’s going to be a lot
of swift wardrobe changes as Aunt Polly and the
other characters will be coming. But the tour also
features Andy and other Cbeebies favourites
who will be entertaining the crowds. We have got
Little Monster who will be out in the audience and
with the circus theme we have lots of circus skills
like juggling. So I’m really excited about it all.

Mummy and Me Magazine is a North West title,
so it’s nice to see that the tour will be stopping at
the Liverpool Echo Arena and Manchester Arena.
Despite being born in Reading, we believe you
are a Manchester City fan, is that correct?
Well I do enjoy football, but how that came about
was filming an episode of Something Special.
The child featuring in the show was a huge
Manchester City fan so we filmed at their stadium
and the staff there were fantastic.
What are you most looking forward to about the
North West leg of your tour?
Most of children’s tv is filmed in Salford now, so
we are often in the North West. But I can’t wait
to get out on the road with the crew and tour. It’s
going to be fantastic.
Most Mr Tumble fans enjoy joining in with regularly
phrases, actions and makaton signs. Will the tour
include a lot of audience participation?
Absolutely! It’s all in there! A lot of slap stick
comedy. I grew up watching Laurel and Hardy
and Charlie Chaplin who were the inspiration for
the Wacky Characters like Mr Tumble.

JUSTIN FLETCHER EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW!

give you an OBE. This is all centered around
the fact that the ‘Something Special’ series is
an educational programme that helps bridge the
gap between able bodied and disable children.
Is this something you have personally been
affected by, or is it something you sim