Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think Mr Tumble is creepy AF?

137 replies

Cheekypeach · 06/02/2022 10:19

Especially as the old man character…

OP posts:
Catra · 06/02/2022 22:46

[quote Cheekypeach]@Catra I really want to ask why she got that impression but equally I don’t want to turn this into a slander thread![/quote]
It was a very long time ago so I can't remember the ins and outs of it, pardon the pun, which is probably a good thing!

AllYouCanEatBrestaurant · 06/02/2022 22:47

If you look up his early shows, how he started, I've a lot of respect for the guy. The characters are a development of his idea and if you've been there from the beginning you can see how he's progressed. He's done wonderful things in helping to not only teach but make makaton mainstream and a normality to young children.

I've been watching his shows since the early days and he well deserves the success he has for making TV, language and communication more accessible for parents and children.

SarahAndQuack · 06/02/2022 22:48

@Shakespearesist3r

You're massively unreasonable. Do you know how many children with learning disabilities he's actually made smile during any of his shows. My daughter loves Mr Tumble. So narrow minded.
Yes, but how many more get bullied/patronised because of him?
MrsColinFerguson · 06/02/2022 22:49

How dare anyone insult my secret crush Shock! I don’t have an excuse to watch him now my children are older, sadly Sad

BeefSupreme · 06/02/2022 22:50

That telly totty thread. 😂

Original poster
Cheekypeach · 06/02/2022 22:52

I just can’t imagine him in that way without the clown outfit as well! And him doing the laugh at crucial moments Confused

OP posts:
wildthingsinthenight · 06/02/2022 22:52

@Mackmama

I miss the days of CBeebies on in the background, it’s so gentle compared to the rubbish my kids like to watch now. Its all YouTubers smashing the place up and shouting ‘Oh My Gosh’ much more weird and annoying than poor Mr Tumble!
Coming on tosay this. I miss Gigglebiz, Justin's House and Something Special ☹ Love JF. DS is 13 now and it's all shouty youtubers!
BeefSupreme · 06/02/2022 22:54

Yes, but how many more get bullied/patronised because of him

Bullies aren't bullies because of Mr Tumble. They're nasty little children who would be bullies even if Mr Tumble didn't exist.

Luckingfovely · 06/02/2022 22:59

People are allowed to have different opinions!

Personally I find him creepy as fuck. I can't help it, and I have no reason to dislike him, but he makes my skin crawl. (I can still be delighted for all the children he's helped, btw).

What's worse is that I live very close to him so see him around, sat at the next table to him one night in a restaurant, and I couldn't eat because the heebie-jeebies were so bad.

And yes, he definitely was courting attention. Maybe he doesn't do in front of many friends, but he was all faux nonchalance while making sure all eyes were on him. Grim.

Sux2Buthen · 06/02/2022 23:04

@Infinitemoon

I have always thought this about JF. My shackles go up. Infact I didn't let my youngest DC watch CBBC because he was on so much.

The characters were very Benny Hillish but creepy.

Shackles Grin Poor bloke
SarahAndQuack · 06/02/2022 23:21

@BeefSupreme

Yes, but how many more get bullied/patronised because of him

Bullies aren't bullies because of Mr Tumble. They're nasty little children who would be bullies even if Mr Tumble didn't exist.

I don't think so. 'Something special' treats children to patronise others and acts as if grinning and clowning around is ok. How are they meant to know it's not ok, when they see an adult doing it on TV?
22Giraffes · 06/02/2022 23:37

@Luckingfovely

People are allowed to have different opinions!

Personally I find him creepy as fuck. I can't help it, and I have no reason to dislike him, but he makes my skin crawl. (I can still be delighted for all the children he's helped, btw).

What's worse is that I live very close to him so see him around, sat at the next table to him one night in a restaurant, and I couldn't eat because the heebie-jeebies were so bad.

And yes, he definitely was courting attention. Maybe he doesn't do in front of many friends, but he was all faux nonchalance while making sure all eyes were on him. Grim.

You actually couldn't eat because he is that creepy? What a nasty thing to say.
Infinitemoon · 06/02/2022 23:40

Shackles grin
Poor bloke

Sorry hackles :)

Infinitemoon · 06/02/2022 23:42

don't think so. 'Something special' treats children to patronise others and acts as if grinning and clowning around is ok. How are they meant to know it's not ok, when they see an adult doing it on TV?

I think this is also what is so off-putting about him.

minimadgirl · 06/02/2022 23:55

Personally we don't watch it for the characters. We watch it as my daughter Is non verbal but she's only 21 months, but she happily picks up Makaton. It's taught her how to ask for more and please/ thank you and obviously more things like that. Its taught her to be able to at least ask me for something rather than getting upset.

bellsbuss · 07/02/2022 00:16

When our children were younger every time DH saw Mr Tumble or Mr Bloom on he would mutter something not quite right there.

Lockdownbear · 07/02/2022 00:44

Every time I put Ceebees on he was on and a lot of the time I switched him off. I can't stand watching him. It could just be I found him really patronising esp on Something Special where really talks down to the kids like they are thick, but i feel like there's something else I can't quite put my finger on.

Unfortunately it seems to be the only kids program with sign language - infact the ONLY program with sign. I can't even think of an older kids or adult program that doesn't involve a reduced screen and a dude in the corner getting shown on some obscure channel.

So I'll give him credit for getting sign on TV but surely the producers can find other people / presenters too.

donquixotedelamancha · 07/02/2022 01:00

Someone needs to do an AS and locate the thread from MANY years ago where several (!) owned up to having shagged Mr Tumble.

Made up, not owned up. Justin is gay.

powershowerforanhour · 07/02/2022 01:03

I think the characters are creepy but I've always been slightly creeped out by clowns and panto dames. I like it when he is just dressed normally being Justin going to a donkey sanctuary or wherever and doing a bit of signing. He seems kind.

powershowerforanhour · 07/02/2022 01:05

DH and I reckon Mr Tumble''s Spotty Bag is full of all the best party drugs.

Allthekittycats · 07/02/2022 01:06

If he was a woman no one would blink an eye. Men can and do care about kids and their education without being creeps and weirdos.

WorstXmasEver · 07/02/2022 01:07

I often wonder about JF. He's in his 50's & single.

Allthekittycats · 07/02/2022 01:09

surely the producers can find other people / presenters too.

I’m sure they could too. I doubt whether they would be as good at their job as Justin. He is involved in so many kids shows, in so many capacities. As I said before if he was woman no one would give him a second thought!

Allthekittycats · 07/02/2022 01:10

a woman*

Betteb · 07/02/2022 04:44

That thread has just made a night of insomnia very entertaining Grin