A New Chapter for Justin Fletcher
Justin Fletcher, best known for his beloved CBeebies character Mr Tumble, has found a new chapter in his life that brings together both his professional success and personal happiness. At the age of 55, the star has finally found love with his co-star Samantha Dorrance, 34, and the couple are now living together at his £2.5m country mansion in Henley on Thames in Oxfordshire.
For many years, Justin was a self-confessed workaholic, dedicating over 20 years of his life to his career before considering relationships. His focus on the long-running CBeebies show, which first aired in 2004, has made him a household name across the UK. The success of Mr Tumble has not only brought joy to millions of children but also generated significant financial gains for Justin.
His brand has been estimated to have amassed a net worth of more than £1.5 million. Sales of his Something Special DVDs alone are believed to have exceeded 100,000, generating an estimated £1 million, while an accompanying magazine is said to bring in another £180,000 a month. Much of this fortune has been invested into his idyllic six-bedroom house and farm, which he now shares with Samantha.
A Shift in Priorities
Despite his long-standing single status, Justin has always expressed a desire for a family. In a rare insight into his personal life, he told The Mirror in 2012 that he dreamed of having his own family one day. “I’m not married, live alone and have been single for a while now because I’ve been a workaholic filming Something Special, Justin’s House and Gigglebiz,” he explained. “But I do want to free up some time for myself and my family. I would love to have children so need to find someone who likes kids.”
Justin has started to make a conscious effort to slow down. Last year, he stepped back as the main presenter of his Bafta-award winning show Something Special, with new presenters taking over the role. However, he continues to work extensively, playing multiple characters such as Mr Tumble, Grandad Tumble, Lord Tumble, Fisherman Tumble, and Aunt Polly.
A Love Story with Samantha
Samantha, a talented actress and singer-songwriter, has become more than just a colleague to Justin. She joined his world when she landed the role of silly best friend Tootsie in The Tale of Mr Tumble in 2015 when she was just 23. Eleven years later, the pair are said to be deeply in love and are currently on tour together in his Justin Live: Justin Time to Rock! Tour.
A source told the Daily Mail that Justin and Samantha are “madly in love and couldn’t be happier.” They have managed to navigate their age gap without any issues, with Samantha being described as “the one” for Justin. Their relationship has blossomed over the past year, with Samantha moving into his six-bedroom house shortly after.
Sharing Their Life Together
On social media, Samantha rarely tags Justin but often shares photos from their home, referring to him as “her partner.” In March, she shared updates about their life on the farm, gushing about hatching their own chickens. “Last year, me and my partner hatched our own chickens. I was making breakfast one morning and noticed all the eggs we had been buying from our local honesty box were fertilised. My partner just so happened to have an old incubator, so we dug it out.”
As Justin continues to balance his career and personal life, it’s clear that his new relationship with Samantha has brought a fresh sense of joy and fulfillment. Their story is a testament to the idea that it’s never too late to find love and happiness.
