Justin Fletcher

Justin Fletcher, MBE (born 15 June 1970) is an English comedian, children's television presenter and actor on the BBC pre-school television channel CBeebies. 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 appeared as the award-winning comedian, Mr Tumble.

Biography
Born in Reading, Berkshire, he attended Theale Green School. Fletcher is the son of songwriter Guy Fletcher. He has three sisters and one brother. He currently lives in Winnersh, Wokingham, Berkshire.

Justin 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 BBC1 broom cupboard with Gordon the Gopher, and decided that a career in children's television was for him. He then met Phillip Schofield, who suggested that he should make a show reel to showcase to TV executives.

Having sketched out various comedic characters, he put together a show reel 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. Both characters would later be used for his CBeebies show Gigglebiz. Sent to various broadcasters and production companies his first TV show after graduation was Fun Song Factory for GMTV, working with Dave Benson Phillips.

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!, with additional voices in ToddWorld, Shaun the Sheep and Timmy Time. In 2006 Fletcher became a presenter on CBeebies but left in 2007.

He owns a production company, Scrumptious House, through which Fletcher developed Something Special, which he presents while signing in Makaton, a type of sign language.

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.

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.

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

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.

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".

Animated Series

 * Higglytown Heroes (2004-2008) - Additional Voices (UK Dub)
 * ToddWorld (2004-2008) - Pickle (UK Dub)
 * Finley the Fire Engine (2006) - Miguel (UK Dub)