Live webchat with Justin Fletcher, Friday 17th December 12 - 1pm

[RachelMumsnet]

We're very happy that Justin Fletcher is joining us again for a live webchat on Friday lunchtime between 12 and 1 pm. Justin needs no introduction to mumsnetters, who enjoyed a fab webchat with Mr Tumble back in April. Justin is here in his role as a Patron of Make-A-Wish Foundation® UK who have been supported by Cadbury since 2009. This year through the launch of Wishes Cadbury will donate 10% of all profits from the product to Make-A-Wish. Put the date in your diary for Friday midday and if you can't make it, post a question in advance to this thread.

[ChippyMinTurnAgainWhittington]

Hi Justin
My DC are beside themselves with excitement about watching the Something Special Christmas Special as they are very familiar with the filming location . They were gutted that we couldn't get there after school to meet you, like their cousin did

[poshsinglemum]

Hi Justin.

My two year old daughter loves you. Will you be at Glastonbury next year? I'm working in the kids field and would love to see you there!

[tallulah]

Is the new series filled in your own actual house? If so we are very

[tallulah]

That should of course say filmed

[ouryve]

Hi Justin!

Glad to see you back! I probably mentioned last time that you are much loved in this house. I have 2 boys with autism and the youngest, who is 4.5 and non-verbal loves Mr Tumble and even attempts to copy some signs.

My eldest is 7 and giggles madly at Gigglebiz, sometimes. He loves the slapstick humour in some of the sketches.

I've been curious: is it pure co-incidence that Ann Teak is so similar to an Armstrong and Miller character, or did they copy your idea?

[LucyEJ]

Hi Justin, i have just become a Mum but knew of you already due to sister and friend 'old hand mum's' often stating 'we love Justin!!!'. Anyway.... i wanted to say that 'Something Special' is wonderful. At last the BBC and you as their champion are bringing children who have special needs into the mainstream. I worked with such children for many years in special education and i always felt that until children, of whatever age, are familiarised with disability then they will always remain at risk of isolation and misunderstanding. i learnt, as i am sure you well know, that they often have huge character and are lovely little people to know.

So well done. i think what you are doing is really important.

i would be interested to know more about how the idea came about, what you already knew about disability and what you feel about it now?

.......and yes, now i love you too! Bye!

[sleepychunky]

Hi Justin, do you watch Strictly Come Dancing and who do you want to win? I would love to see Mr Tumble as a contestant on next year's show

[popsycal]

Oh I have a question from ds1 (can I get away with this one question per person thing much longer....)

WHich is your favourite episode of 'Something Special'?

We like 'Sleepover' (filmed behind in laws house!), 'High Street' and 'Pop Star' (CLiff TUmble) and 'Playdate' ( 'Cools coming!!!!':))

[casbie]

love Mr Tumble and love the sign-language part of your shows... really helps hearing children connect to those who have difficulty.

do you think that you had a major part in schools now promoting/teaching sign-language in class?

my dd finds this very helpful.

we all love gigglebiz, best thing on telly!

[Onlyaphase]

Hi Justin, no questions from me but I wanted to say a huge thank you on behalf of not only me but the entire plane full of people flying to Atlanta.

DD was literally bouncing off the walls 3 hours into a 9 hour flight and the only thing that calmed her down and then sent her nodding off was a DVD of Something Special. It is the only TV program that holds her interest for more than a nanosecond.

Everyone sitting near us thanks you from the bottom of their hearts!

[Housewife2010]

Hello Justin. My 3 year old daughter has been a huge fan of yours for the last 18 months.She signs a lot & my 18 month old son has starting to enjoy your programme and to sign. The biggest compliment she gave her Daddy was when she told him he was "Just like Mr Tumble!"
Have you any plans to visit your fans in the North West?
Also are you aware of your very large female following on Mumsnet? You are the No1 Yummy Mummy's Pin-up!

[longlady16]

Hi Justin, my two year old son is a huge fan of Mr Tumble and Something Special, while Dad and I love Cliff Tumble - genius!!
Any plans to take your characters out on tour next year?

[BluTac]

Hi Justin, can I ask how you came to be a colossus of children's tv, and what did you do before?

[BluTac]

Just realised how star-struck I will feel if you answer my question on friday

[wingandprayer]

Hi Justin

I just wanted to be a bit nauseatingly gushy and say thank you for creating such fantastic TV for kids. In this hideously commercial age it's so refreshing to have something so gentle, funny, individual and totally engaging for children of all abilities and adults.

I grew up with Playaway and Brian Cant and I know my children will look back on your programmes with the same fond memories I do with those.

Merry Christmas

[insolsticecat]

I have heard that Gigglebiz has been described as "Little Britain" for the under 5's. What do you think of that?

Think of little britain what you will (personally, not a fan but love Gigglebiz) It's fairly iconic so it must be nice to be compared to it!

[MichaelaS]

Hi Justin - welcome back to mumsnet and I hope you don't get eaten alive by some of your adult admirers!

My question is this - other than the ones you appear in, do you have a favourite CBeebies show?

My son is 19 months old and has a speech delay - we are learning Makaton and Something Special really helps with our vocabulary as well as being great fun to watch. Our "non-Justin" favourite is 3rd and Bird mostly because of the bright colours. I'm sure you'll agree that "different is good, if we were all the same it'd be a shame"

[IWantToBeAFairyWhenIGrowUp]

LOL lots @ Mypombearisveryold post.

Hi Justin, we are massive fans of all your programmes in this house.

DD is 3.8 now and copies all the signs you do. She has no delays of any sort, so I'm really pleased she's interested in trying to do it. I've always been interested in Sign Language anyway and passed BSL1 - looking to carry it on soon.

Hope that you do a Something Special tour that would be brilliant. If you do please come to Norwich :-)

XX

[Housemum]

Hello - how do you find being with friends with children - do you go to parties and find that everyone leaves you with the kids? And just how many requests to be a godparent have you had?

You are our children's generation's Brian Cant, which I call high praise indeed!

[SparkleRainbow]

I haven't got a question, just a huge thank you. Thank you for making such positive, inclusive, interactive and educational tv for our children. Thank you for making makaton a normal part of children's lifes. Thank you for the hours and hours of entertainment you have given my three dc. The biggest personal thank you of all is for celebrating the exceptional qualities of all children, irrespective of their physical or educational abilities; which means my ds who lives in constant pain and struggles with his physical disabilities always has examples of other children coping with their different lifes to use as inspiration for not giving up.

Thank you.

[IloveJackWhite]

Love your shows Justin, I think it really helps all children to feel included. I notice you are an MBE too - congratulations!

What was your background before moving into Children's TV?

[gingercat12]

Hello Justin,

We all love your shows in our house.

If you would like to make my son (and my husband) happy, would you consider putting your shows on dvds on the market, please. It is a bit tedious to have to try to record every episode, and it would make a fab Christmas present. My son seems to learn all your shows word by word (very quickly as well) and knows the names of the children in all the programmes.

I like your shows, because you seem to have fun as well. I especially liked your apron and the washing gloves with the fake fur on it (and Grandpa Tumble playing on the guitar).

If there is a Something Special tour, we will be in the first row in Newcastle.

Have a great Christmas,
the ginger family

[BrandySnaps]

Backing up SleepChunky's question!! Mr Tumble for Strictly
And i realised, i kind of asked 3 questions rolled into one - Sooo, my main one would be how do you manage to keep grounded and not get big headed?
Thank you muchly
xxx

Seriously considering pulling a sickie - Do you think i could get away with - I thought it was a Sunday, so i won't be coming in today...?

[shanks313]

Hi Justin

My kids absolutely adore you and cant wait to see you in panto on 27th December.We wil lbe in the front row.
My question is that as major Boogie and on Something Special you seem to be a really good dancer.How did you learn to dance or is it all natural?
Thanks

[catwomanga]

Hi Justin,

We all adore you in our house (esp. Dina Lady's look to camera!) Could I Make a Wish on behalf of all children? Please could you ask Cadbury's to make a Chocolate Garden, like in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?

They would have children flocking from all over the UK, (nay, the world!) and the extra money charged would not only pay itself but do some really good work for the foundation.

PS: DD asks "y r u so funny?" and DS asks "Why do I like balls?" Don't ask.