CBeebies legend Mr Tumble, also known as Justin Fletcher, has found love with his co-star Samantha Dorrance, who is 21 years his junior. The 55-year-old children's entertainer and the 34-year-old actress, who plays his best friend Tootsie on the show, reportedly fell for each other while working on a pantomime and touring together.
According to sources, the couple are deeply in love and have been enjoying a quiet life at Justin's £2.5 million farmhouse, where they look after their chickens. Samantha has moved into the property, and friends say they are thrilled for the pair.
'Justin and Samantha are madly in love and couldn't be happier,' a source told The Sun. 'They are both dedicated performers and bonded over their love of musical theatre. Although there is an age gap, it isn't an issue between them.'
The insider added that Justin considers Samantha 'The One.' He was single for a while before reconnecting with her, and their relationship blossomed from there. The farm is their sanctuary, and both feel happiest there. Friends and castmates on the tour are aware of the relationship and are delighted to see Justin so happy.
Justin has previously spoken about his struggles to find love, joking that he has to fend off proposals from mums who watch his show. However, he admitted that his workaholic tendencies have often neglected his love life. In 2012, he said, 'I'm not married, live alone and have been single for a while now because I've been a workaholic filming Something Special, Justin's House and Gigglebiz. But I do want to free up some time for myself and my family. I'd love to have children, so I need to find someone who likes kids. A couple of kids would be lovely.'
Samantha first hinted at their relationship in March when she shared an Instagram post about rearing chickens with her 'partner.' She wrote, 'Last year, me and my partner hatched our own chickens. I was making breakfast one morning and noticed that all the eggs we had been buying from our local honesty box were fertilised. My partner just so happened to have an old incubator, so we dug it out.'
Representatives for Justin Fletcher and Samantha Dorrance have been contacted for comment.
