Children’s TV favourite Justin Fletcher is reportedly in a serious relationship with his Something Special co-star Samantha Dorrance.
The 55-year-old presenter, best known to millions of families as Mr Tumble, is said to be “madly in love” with Samantha, 34, who plays Tootsie on the popular CBeebies show.
According to reports, the pair are now living together at Justin’s £2.5 million farmhouse in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire. Friends are said to be delighted that the much-loved entertainer has found happiness with Samantha, despite their 21-year age gap.
A source claimed the couple’s relationship developed after they reconnected last year, with Samantha later moving into Justin’s six-bedroom country home.
“The farm is their sanctuary,” the insider said, adding that friends and castmates are aware of the romance.
The pair have worked closely together on Something Special and have also toured the UK performing for children and families. While Samantha does not often tag Justin directly on social media, she has referred to “my partner” in posts and has shared glimpses from what appears to be their life together.
In one post, she revealed that she and her partner had hatched chickens at home after discovering fertilised eggs from a local honesty box.
Justin, who has been a beloved face on children’s television for decades, has kept his personal life largely private. His Mr Tumble character has become a national favourite among young viewers, particularly through the inclusive and educational style of Something Special.
The news comes after Wayne Rooney recently joked that watching Mr Tumble with his four sons had influenced his decision to have a vasectomy. The former England footballer said he had watched the show so many times with his children that he “couldn’t go through it again”.
For Justin and Samantha, however, the spotlight now falls on a quieter story away from the stage — one of companionship, countryside life and a romance that friends believe has made the TV star happier than ever.
