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.

[JustinFletcher]

@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

I did three years training at the Guildford School of Acting, which included a lot of dance in the first two years - most of which I've forgotten, but I do try to make some kind of effort to dance and still enjoy, you know, making a fool of myself on the dancefloor.

[JustinFletcher]

@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!

I'm asked to do a lot of parties, but sadly don't have the time to attend them! But I love working with children on the programmes and I love meeting the crowds at the live shows - that's the biggest buzz of all.

[JustinFletcher]

@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!

When I first pitched Gigglebiz, I described it as 'Fast Show for children'. I think it's the first sketch show for preschoolers and we very carefully write each episode, so it has something for the adults as well.

[JustinFletcher]

@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?

We are discussing a Justin live show at the moment, with the BBC, and so we will keep you posted on the CBeebies website - that's where it will go up.

[JustinFletcher]

@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

We are discussing Justin live show, possibly for next year which will include all of my characters including Mr. Tumble.

But, in the meantime, the good news is that we are shooting a brand new series of Something Special! It will be coming out in the summer next year.

[JustinFletcher]

@LimburgseVlaai

I saw your name in the credits of Shaun the Sheep. Is it you? And whose voice do you do??

Yes, it is me! I do Shaun's voice. Baaaaaaa

[JustinFletcher]

@Sidge

Justin you are wonderful, we adore you here chez Sidge. Thank you for bringing children with special needs and disabilities onto mainstream TV.

DD2 has complex SN and has used Makaton since she was about 2.5, she's now 6.10. I would say 99% of our Makaton vocab has come from Something Special!

She loves SS so much we have to make programming our Sky Plus box part of our morning routine.

Is there any way of getting a signed photo for her from your agent? Please please pretty please

Hi Sidge, I'm going to send a large handful of signed photographs to MNHQ who have very kindly said that they will pass them on!

[christmasrocks]

Hi Justin,

Do you keep in touch with any of the schools and/children that you meet when filming?

[JustinFletcher]

@EauRudolph

Oh wait, I've just thought of a question- where do you get the inspiration for your Gigglebiz characters, are any of them based on real people?

I love observing people and their mannerisms and their habits and I try to listen to as many different voices as I can when I'm working with people within the television industry.

Some of me Gigglebiz characters are based on people that I have met at some stage in my life. In the new series there are four new characters to look out for.

[JustinFletcher]

@christmasrocks

Hi Justin,

Do you keep in touch with any of the schools and/children that you meet when filming?

Yes, indeed! We have quite often revisited the schools that we have filmed at after invites to various functions and school leaving assemblies.

[DoolallySally]

Any chance you do private parties? Would love to book you for our son's next party....pleeaaseeee?????

[JustinFletcher]

@blimey

Aw Justin, you are really fab.
How did your face get to be so mobile?
lots of love and merry christmas
me and DS123
xxx

Many hours spent watching Jim Carrey films!

[missbeetle]

I hope this isn't interpreted in the wrong way, but why do you think that presenters working with non-disabled children do not use the same hands on approach that you do? In my experience, most young kids - regardless of ability - love cuddles, rough and tumble, sitting on knees etc and I think that is one of the reasons they are so fond of you, because you don't seem frightened of doing these things on TV.

[JustinFletcher]

@dearprudenceandtheivy

Dear Justbin (as my son always called you),

Did you train as a mime artist?

No - I did do some physical training at Guildford School of Acting though! Learning how to fall on crash mats, etc, which stood me in good stead with my various slapstick routines.

[JustinFletcher]

@victoriascrumptious

I think you are very sexy Justin.

That is all.

[mrmann]

Hi Justin,

Love your shows!

I was wondering if that very nice house in Something Special is yours? If it is I hope you're a fair landlord to the tumble family!

[BellaBearisWideAwake]

you answered me! I heart you xx

[JustinFletcher]

@popsycal

Reinstating myself from a self-imposed flounce ban to ask the lovely Justin a question.

DS3 (who is 2) LOVES LOVES LOVES you. He is a huge fan of GIgglebiz but even more so of Something Special. He has been known to wake at 6 in the morning with the words 'I want Cool Tumble now, Mummy'.

So, on behalf of DS3, via DS2 (aged 5):
'Why do Queen Tumble and Julio Tumble not visit Mr Tumble like Cliff and Cool do?'

And from me (one question per person, yes???:)):

In GIgglebiz, there are many subtle nods to comics of yesteryear e.g the Morecambe and Wise cooking sketch, The Two Ronnies doing the news, etc. Were these conscious allusions to these classic comedy moments or did they develop during the production process?

Oh, and as other posters have asked, are you doing an live performances soon? We I would love to see you live.

We are in talks at the moment to bring back Queen Tumble, and Julio Tumble and of course, one of the most popular Tumbles at the moment is Lord Tumble - everyone loves him!

At the moment, the most popular Gigglebiz character is Nana Knickerbocker!

[JustinFletcher]

@VladimirsPukin

Hello Justin

Are you a fan of Laurel and Hardy?
some of your work reminds me of them

Yes, absolutely. When I was a young lad, I used to watch all of the Laurel and Hardy films, and now I have the complete box set on DVD.

I often refer to them for inspiration - one of the best double acts that's ever existed on the silver screen!

[DoolallySally]

My hubby thinks you are a LEGEND! We particularly like the Farmer in Gigglebiz

Don't know if this has been asked previously but do you ever get tempted to do adult comedy (I note earlier you said you pitched Gigglebiz like a children's Fast Show) reckon you'd be ACE!! xxx

[JUDEandOls]

Hi Justin,
I am bringing my 2 yr old to see you in panto after Xmas, although a bit concerned he might get a bit scared as we have front row tickets. Do you have many children who love you on TV finding it strange when they meet you?
Jude, Ollie & Bump
xxx

[DoolallySally]

Oooh which Panto are you in & WHERE????

[SillyCalamari]

Hi Justin!
We think you're really great and my 20 month old son currently demands at least 5 episodes of Something Special a day!

We were wondering how and where you learned Makaton and are you still learning on-the-job?

[JustinFletcher]

@JUDEandOls

Hi Justin,
I am bringing my 2 yr old to see you in panto after Xmas, although a bit concerned he might get a bit scared as we have front row tickets. Do you have many children who love you on TV finding it strange when they meet you?
Jude, Ollie & Bump
xxx

Yes, quite often children expect me to be four inches high! In fact, just the other day I switch the Bluewater lights on in Kent, and a child shouted from the audience, "I never thought you were part of our world!"

I thought that was great.

[sitdownpleasegeorge]

Do you hang out with any celebs or is the world of children's television somewhat distanced from other presenters/celebs ?

DS2 absolutely adored Mr Tumble(He laughed out loud every time Mr T performed) and copied the signing stuff too in SS before his big brother led him astray to the cartoon channels.