Something Special is a British children's television programme starring and presented by Justin Fletcher. It was created and produced by Allan Johnston. It is broadcast by the BBC, debuting on 1 September 2003. It is designed to introduce children to Makaton signing, and is specifically aimed at children with delayed learning and communication difficulties. It is aired on the CBeebies channel and is currently the longest running CBeebies programme and the longest running preschool series in Britain. In the past, it was also broadcast as part of the CBeebies programme strand on BBC One and BBC Two.
The name of the programme derives from the idea that all children, irrespective of their position on the learning spectrum, are special. The format of the show has evolved considerably since the original series. In 2012, a new series, "Something Special – We're All Friends" started, introducing some minor changes to the "Out and About" format. This format change has also included a change in location, and introduced the Tumble Tapp, a personalised tablet computer showing the "special things" to look for. Beginning with Series 14, additional presenters will alternate with Justin.[1]
The earlier series of the show were taken out of re-run rotation sometime in the early 2010's; CBeebies now only airs the most recent series, currently Series 10-12.
Synopsis
It is presented by Justin Fletcher ("Justin") and features various other characters and clips of children with disabilities. Justin speaks as well as signing, and a spoken narrative is provided over the clips of children.
The other characters played by Fletcher are the Tumble Family. Mr Tumble, who is a clown, Grandad Tumble, Fisherman Tumble, Lord Tumble, Chef Tumble and Baker Tumble. Other members of the Tumble family have made appearances including two Aunts, Polly and Suki (as in the nursery rhyme "Polly Put the Kettle On") and Baby Tumble.
In Series 10, 3 animal characters were introduced to the series, Spotty the Horse, who is Mr Tumble's horse that has appeared in the episodes "Animals" and "Animal Keeper", Dennis the T-Rex, who is a dinosaur who has only appeared in the episode "Dinosaurs" (The T-Rex is also a display at Paultons Park where it was filmed) and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, who appears in the episode "A Magical Christmas".
In 2025, the show added a new "rotating presenter" format; with Ben Cajee and Maddie Moate added to the presenting cast. Fellow CBeebies presenter George Webster, who was added to the cast in the previous season, will continue to make recurring appearances in episodes hosted by Fletcher.[2]
Format
Series 1 and 2 (2003–2006)
Justin showcases things in a white screen set, with the Mr Tumble sections in the middle of the episodes. Each episode has a duration of 15 minutes.
Mr Tumble shorts (2007)
From 2007, CBeebies occasionally showed short programmes consisting of the Mr Tumble sections from the various episodes, without the sections featuring Justin.
Series 3 - "Out and About" (2008)
The first "Out and About" series featured Justin wandering out of the white screen set through the magic doors and into a different location set within the UK. Each episode has a duration of 20 minutes.
Series 4-6 - "Out and About" (2010–2011)
Series 4 of the show followed the Out and About format of Series 3 and introduced a new character, Lord Tumble. The series has Mr Tumble and the other Tumble characters primarily based in "Tumble House", a large detached house located in extensive grounds close to the sea, located in Porlock, Somerset.[citation needed] The house and grounds are populated with large coloured spots, balloons and similar circular / spherical items in keeping with the spots on Mr Tumble's costume. The episodes typically feature Mr Tumble sending photographs of items he is interested in finding out about to Justin using his "Spotty Bag". Justin, with the assistance of the children with him, locates these items or activities and in return sends associated items back to Mr Tumble. There is typically a link in the theme between the actions of Mr Tumble and the other Tumble characters, and the activities Justin and the children participate in.
Series 7-12 - "We're All Friends" (2012–present)
In 2012, a new series, "Something Special – We're All Friends" started,[3] introducing some minor changes to the Out and About format. This format change included a change of location, and introduced the "Tumble Tapp", a tablet computer.
Mr. Tumble and Grandad Tumble play football in the garden. (Craven Cottage)
59
14
"Camping"
Tent / Water Tap / Barbecue
Sleeping Bag
31 January 2008 (2008-01-31)
Mr. Tumble tries to put up his tent and tires to have a rest in his sleeping bag. (New Forest)
60
15
"Castle"
Princess / Prince / Throne
Queen
1 February 2008 (2008-02-01)
Mr. Tumble is dressing up as King Tumble. (Carrickfergus)
Series 4: Out and About (2010)
No. overall
No. in series
Title
3 Special Things
Tumble Sign
Original release date
61
1
"Airport"
Helicopter / Fire Engine / Pilot
Kite
8 March 2010 (2010-03-08)
Mr Tumble wants to try and fly with a little help of Grandad Tumble and Lord Tumble.
62
2
"City"
Double-Decker Bus / Shops / Fountain
Bus Stop
9 March 2010 (2010-03-09)
Mr Tumble is going to the city, but he missed the bus. So Mr Tumble goes to the city on a bike with Aunt Polly instead.
63
3
"Garden Centre"
Wheelbarrow / Yellow Plant / Plant Pot
Digger
10 March 2010 (2010-03-10)
Mr Tumble looks for a hole to plant his flower.
64
4
"By The Sea"
Chair Lift / Lighthouse / Game
Chocolate
11 March 2010 (2010-03-11)
Mr Tumble is a pirate looking for his treasure.
65
5
"Hospital"
Nurse / Pyjamas / Toast
Grapes
12 March 2010 (2010-03-12)
Mr Tumble visits Grandad Tumble in hospital.
66
6
"Houseboat"
Suitcase / Windmill / Duck
Scooter
15 March 2010 (2010-03-15)
Mr Tumble tries to find a good place to put up his tent.
67
7
"Leisure Centre"
Swimming Pool / Float / Bouncy Castle
Egg Cup
16 March 2010 (2010-03-16)
Mr Tumble takes part in a Sports day, but he fails every single event. But is given an egg cup for taking part.
68
8
"Animal Park"
Snake / Fruit and Vegetables / Owl
Tiger
17 March 2010 (2010-03-17)
Mr Tumble is looking for his animal.
69
9
"Playdate"
Sitting Room / Stairs / Kitchen
Cousin
18 March 2010 (2010-03-18)
Mr Tumble's cousin, Cool Tumble comes to visit and they play musical bumps, build dens and play Hide-and-seek.
70
10
"Animal Rescue"
Spotty Dog / Rabbit / Ginger Cat
Paddling Pool
19 March 2010 (2010-03-19)
Mr Tumble looks after Aunt Suki's dog.
71
11
"Bike Ride"
Bike / Stream / Bench
Cycle Helmet
22 March 2010 (2010-03-22)
Mr Tumble is pretending to be a postman, so he uses a bicycle to deliver parcels to Lord Tumble, Aunt Polly and Grandad Tumble.
72
12
"Creative Walk"
Sheep / Pig / Donkey
Peacock
23 March 2010 (2010-03-23)
Mr Tumble paints a picture of a peacock.
73
13
"Supermarket"
Shopping Trolley / Pineapple / Bowls
Toilet Roll
24 March 2010 (2010-03-24)
Mr Tumble brings his shopping home with help from Lord Tumble. But Lord Tumble puts everything in the wrong place.
74
14
"Butterfly"
Caterpillar / Red Flower / Café
Video Camera
25 March 2010 (2010-03-25)
Mr Tumble tries to film a butterfly with his new video camera, but it keeps flying away.
75
15
"Drive"
School Bus / Car Wash / Playground
Bubbles
26 March 2010 (2010-03-26)
Mr Tumble cleans his car using bubbles from Grandad Tumble's bath.
Series 5: Out and About (2010)
No. overall
No. in series
Title
3 Special Things
Tumble Sign
Original release date
76
1
"Nature Trail"
Pond / Tree Branch / Meadow
Lunch
11 October 2010 (2010-10-11)
Mr Tumble goes fishing with Big Teddy.
77
2
"Play"
Water Play / Sandpit / Parachute
Play
12 October 2010 (2010-10-12)
Mr Tumble is playing some games with Grandad Tumble and Lord Tumble.
78
3
"Sport"
Trampoline / Ramp / Ice Rink
Sports Clothes
13 October 2010 (2010-10-13)
Aunt Polly, Lord Tumble and Grandad Tumble show Mr Tumble how to do some exercises.
79
4
"Island"
Island / Grey Seal / Postcards
Fisherman
14 October 2010 (2010-10-14)
Mr Tumble is visiting his friend Fisherman Tumble and helping him get ready to go out on his fishing boat. But the tide has gone out. So they pretended to catch fish instead.
80
5
"Festival"
Breakfast / Face Painting / Band
Guitar
15 October 2010 (2010-10-15)
Grandad Tumble puts on a concert for Mr Tumble and the toys!
81
6
"London"
Bridge / Statue / Big Wheel
Palace
18 October 2010 (2010-10-18)
Mr Tumble has lots of fun at home with his London book.
82
7
"Art"
Feet / Sponge / Toy Car
Rainbow
19 October 2010 (2010-10-19)
Mr Tumble paints a rainbow on Grandad Tumble's shed as a surprise. But Mr Tumble is missing some paint.
83
8
"Baby"
High Chair / Baby Bath / Buggy
Baby
20 October 2010 (2010-10-20)
Mr Tumble gets ready for a very special baby visitor of his own.
84
9
"Village Fete"
Coconut / Cake Stall / Toy Duck
Horse
21 October 2010 (2010-10-21)
Mr Tumble holds his own Village Fete for the toys!
85
10
"Big Animals"
Giraffe / Hippopotamus / Elephant
Hamster
22 October 2010 (2010-10-22)
Mr Tumble is cleaning out Harry the Hamster's cage. But who is looking after Harry?
86
11
"Music"
Guitar / Drum Kit / Microphone
Popstar
25 October 2010 (2010-10-25)
Mr Tumble wants to be a popstar after watching his favourite singer Cliff Tumble on TV.
87
12
"Strawberry Picking"
Strawberry Field / Scales / Strawberry Jam
Fruit
26 October 2010 (2010-10-26)
Mr Tumble is very hungry and goes looking for fruit in the garden.
88
13
"Cooking"
Knife / Cherries / Teacher
Salad
27 October 2010 (2010-10-27)
Mr Tumble is making something very special for Grandad Tumble's lunch.
89
14
"Sleepover"
Bedroom / Sausages / Warm Drink
Quiet
28 October 2010 (2010-10-28)
Mr Tumble is having a sleepover of his own in his garden.
90
15
"Routines"
Bread Roll / Laptop / Cricket Bat
Toothbrush
29 October 2010 (2010-10-29)
Mr Tumble shows us what he does before he goes to bed.
91
16
"Birthday Party"
Parcel / Party Food / CD
Birthday Party
22 November 2010 (2010-11-22)
All the Tumbles are doing a surprise party for Lord Tumble.
92
17
"Shopping"
Saree / Jewellery / Sweets
Glasses
23 November 2010 (2010-11-23)
Mr Tumble is doing his washing and needs to find some spare clothes to wear.
93
18
"Café"
Menu / Waitress / Purse
Chef
24 November 2010 (2010-11-24)
Mr Tumble opens his new Café and we are introduced to the all new Chef Tumble!
94
19
"Forest Art"
Leaf / Twig / Feather
Bear
25 November 2010 (2010-11-25)
Mr Tumble is in his forest looking for animals from inside his den!
95
20
"Park"
Slide / Maze / Dragon Boat
Sailboat
26 November 2010 (2010-11-26)
Mr Tumble is trying to find a boat of his own to go on a sea adventure.
96
21
"Christmas"
Christmas Tree / Christmas Presents / Christmas Choir
-
24 December 2010 (2010-12-24)
It's Christmas and Mr Tumble, Lord Tumble and Grandad Tumble are decorating the Tumble house. Meanwhile, Justin and his friends haven't got any Christmas presents, but Mr Tumble and Father Christmas brought them back just in time.
Series 6: Out and About (2011)
No. overall
No. in series
Title
3 Special Things
Tumble Sign
Original release date
97
1
"Baking"
Rolling Pin / Pastry Cutter / Raisins
Cake
19 September 2011 (2011-09-19)
Mr Tumble bakes some delicious cakes and Chef Tumble wants to have a cooking competition with him.
98
2
"Music"
Musical Instruments / Dressing Gown / Bed
Winner
20 September 2011 (2011-09-20)
Mr Tumble has made a stage and is organising a singing competition between Aunt Polly and Grandad Tumble.
99
3
"Shop for School"
Shoe Shop / Pencil Case / Lift
Skateboard
21 September 2011 (2011-09-21)
Mr Tumble goes cycling but crashes his pushbike.
100
4
"Sensory Garden"
Xylophone / Blossom / Blue Flower
Black Hat
22 September 2011 (2011-09-22)
Mr Tumble plays a looking game called I Spy.
101
5
"Space"
Spacesuit / Rocket / Moon
Spaceman
23 September 2011 (2011-09-23)
Mr Tumble wants to get to the moon, but he needs a rocket and a spacesuit.
102
6
"Snow"
Warm Coat / Snow / Sledge
Snowflake
26 September 2011 (2011-09-26)
Mr Tumble wants to play in the snow but it's not snowing outside. Maybe Lord Tumble can help with a bit of magic.
103
7
"Scouts"
Beaver Scout / Experiment Badge / Scarf
Warm Fire
27 September 2011 (2011-09-27)
Scout Tumble has come to stay.
104
8
"Pet Shop"
Pet Shop / Guinea Pigs / Guinea Pig Food
Bone
28 September 2011 (2011-09-28)
Aunt Polly looks after a dog named Chip while Mr Tumble is off to the shops to buy a bone for him.
105
9
"Rainy Day"
Dressing-Up Box / Pretend Shop / Puddle
Paddling Pool
29 September 2011 (2011-09-29)
Mr Tumble wants to play in his paddling pool, but it's raining outside, so he decides to play a dressing-up game indoors instead.
106
10
"Allotment"
Compost / Seeds / Pea Pods
Prawn
30 September 2011 (2011-09-30)
Mr Tumble has grown so many vegetables that he decides to go to the harbour to sell them.
107
11
"Friends"
Friend / Bowling Alley / Mini Golf
Best Friends
3 October 2011 (2011-10-03)
Mr Tumble is playing with his friend Lord Tumble. But Mr Tumble doesn't like losing and is very rude to Lord Tumble.
108
12
"Doctor"
Waiting Room / Stethoscope / Doctor's Bag
Hot Water Bottle
4 October 2011 (2011-10-04)
Aunt Polly and Grandad Tumble are feeling poorly.
109
13
"Rugby"
Rugby Kit / Rugby Ball / Rugby Posts
Ball Pool
5 October 2011 (2011-10-05)
Mr Tumble is looking for Grandad Tumble's old rugby ball.
110
14
"Weekend"
Mummy / Daddy / Grandma and Grandad
Hungry
6 October 2011 (2011-10-06)
All the Tumbles are getting together for Lord Tumble's lunch.
111
15
"Outside"
Samba Drum / Headdress / Dancers
Fairy
7 October 2011 (2011-10-07)
Lord Tumble is having a fancy dress party and all the Tumbles have been invited.
112
16
"Pony Trekking"
Gate / Wild Pony / Spotty Rug
Horseriding
31 October 2011 (2011-10-31)
Mr Tumble wants to go out for a ride on a horse but Lord Tumble and Grandad Tumble have other ideas.
113
17
"Getting Arty"
T-Shirt / Bracelet / Audience
Smile, please
1 November 2011 (2011-11-01)
Mr Tumble is taking photographs of Aunt Polly and Grandad Tumble.
114
18
"Wildlife"
Red Squirrel / Deer / Hedgehog
Goose
2 November 2011 (2011-11-02)
Mr Tumble tries to find a big bird in the garden.
115
19
"Trip Away"
Pier / Giant Turtle / Train
Caravan
3 November 2011 (2011-11-03)
Mr Tumble is busy getting ready for his holiday.
116
20
"Zookeeper"
Rhino / Chimpanzee / Sea Lion
Warm Blanket
4 November 2011 (2011-11-04)
Mr Tumble finds out what it's like to be an animal.
117
21
"Cars"
Old Car / Motorbike / Double-Decker Bus
Cool Car
7 November 2011 (2011-11-07)
Mr Tumble decides that his car needs a makeover.
118
22
"Baby Animals"
1 Lamb / 2 Chicks / 3 Piglets
Counting
8 November 2011 (2011-11-08)
Mr Tumble runs a baker's shop with five current buns.
119
23
"Yurts"
Family / Hen / Campfire
Share
9 November 2011 (2011-11-09)
Mr Tumble is poorly and Aunt Polly is looking after him.
120
24
"Adventure"
Climbing Wall / Horse and Carriage / Kayak
Strong
10 November 2011 (2011-11-10)
Mr Tumble is warming up for a competition to find the strongest Tumble.
121
25
"Theme Park"
Height Chart / Swing Ride / Rollercoaster
Pirate Boat
11 November 2011 (2011-11-11)
Mr. Tumble wants to ride a boat. Luckily Fisherman Tumble knows just the place. (Paultons Park)
In 2015, a theatrical production called The Tale of Mr Tumble was performed. Starring Justin Fletcher as Mr Tumble and Ronni Ancona as The Unsmiling Principle, the show sees the Mr Tumble character as a baby and as a young boy, and follows him throughout his early life.[5] A filmed version of The Tale of Mr Tumble aired on CBeebies in March 2016.
