Justin Fletcher
| Justin Fletcher MBE | |
|---|---|
| Born |
15 June 1970 Reading, Berkshire, England, UK |
| Occupation |
Actor Presenter Voice actor Singer |
Justin Fletcher, MBE (born 15 June 1970 in Reading, Berkshire)[1] is an English children's television personality in the United Kingdom.
Fletcher is most associated as a presenter and actor on the BBC pre-school television channel CBeebies,[2] speaking and performing in various, often self-created, roles.
Biography
Born in Reading, Berkshire, he is the son of songwriter Guy Fletcher, best known for writing songs for Elvis Presley, Cliff Richard, Ray Charles, Frankie Valli and many others. Justin has 1 brother and 3 sisters. Justin is also a die hard Manchester City fan.[3] On Justin's House (Episode 9 of 25 - "Just the Part") he has mentioned his mother's name as being Sheila.
Career
While studying drama at the Guildford School of Acting, in his final year he started to watch regularly Phillip Schofield in the BBC1 broom cupboard with Gordon the Gopher, and decided that a career in children's television was for him.[4]
Having sketched-out various comedic characters, he put together a show reel called Justin Time, which encompassed two different characters: Anna Conda, a myopic reptile house warden; and Arthur Sleep, a regional newsreader who has difficulty staying awake and can sleep anywhere no matter what.[4] Both characters would later be used for his CBeebies show Gigglebiz.[4] Sent to various broadcasters and production companies his first show after graduation was Fun Song Factory for CITV, working with Dave Benson Philips.[5]
BBC and CBeebies
He then did a tour, playing Mr Jolly in Playdays for 2 years, his first work for the BBC. He then became part of the Tikkabilla programme, when he knew he was happy with his career choice.
From Tikkabilla was spun out Higgledy House, a slapstick Laurel and Hardy style programme with Sarah-Jane Honeywell, which progressed to the very popular Mr Tumble. Justin Fletcher has also voiced the characters of Doodles and Jake in Tweenies, Miguel in Finley the Fire Engine, Sleeping Bear and Growling Tiger in CBeebies' Boo!, with additional voices in Todd World, Shaun the Sheep and Timmy Time. In 2006 Fletcher Became a presenter on CBeebies but left in 2007, returning in 2012 to fill in for Andy Day while he was working on a TV series called Andy's wild Adventures.
Through his own production company, Fletcher developed Something Special, which he presents while signing in Makaton, a type of sign language.[6] In November 2008, CBeebies aired 3 different pilots made by Fletcher, with the possibility of one of them becoming a full time series. They were called Humphrey the Painter, Gigglebiz and Captain Adorable. In January 2009, an announcement by CBeebies was made that Gigglebiz would become the regular show, with the Humphrey and Captain Adorable characters being written into the show, which was now a series of character-based comedy sketches linked by jokes told by children. This show was first broadcast in September 2009, with the title Gigglebiz.[4][7]
His voice over work for CBBC includes voicing Harold from Thomas the Tank Engine, which he has performed on BBC Radio 4, arena tour and pantomime. Fletcher is a relief continuity presenter for CBeebies' presentation links, the voice of Chubba on BB3B, and regularly performed on the CBeebies radio station on BBC Radio 7 until its change to BBC Radio 4 Extra in 2011.
Justin also appears as himself along with a range of animated characters in the 'bee bright' series of award-winning educational DVDs.
Justin appears in a show called Jollywobbles, which started on BBC2 on Monday 9 August 2010.
Justin also occasionally appears in a show called The Hollies School.
Justin's House
In October 2011, CBeebies began broadcasting "Justin's House" starring Justin with Steve Kynman[8] as "Robert The Robot" and Jane Deane as "Dee Livery".[9] The show is based in Justin's fictional house, and recorded live in front of a studio audience at The Studios, MediaCityUK, operated by Media City Studios Limited. The show was later broadcast for a second season, with some changes, including having a party theme.
Ratings
Episode ratings from BARB.[10]
| Episode no. | Airdate | Total viewers | Share | CBeebies weekly ranking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | 7.1% | |
| | | | 7.8% | |
| | | | 6.0% | |
| | | | 7.8% | |
| | | | 6.8% | |
| | | | 6.3% | |
| | | | 4.2% | |
| | | | 8.0% | |
| | | | 5.3% | |
| | | | 5.7% | |
| | | | 6.7% | |
| | | | 3.3% | |
| | | | 6.5% | |
| | | | 5.8% | |
| | | | 5.5% | |
| | | | 5.4% | |
| | | | 6.1% | |
| | | | 4.0% | |
| | | | 6.3% | |
| | | | 6.1% | |
| | | | 6.4% | |
| | | | 6.3% | |
| | | | 3.3% |
Other work
Starting in 1998 Fletcher presented the Fun Song Factory for the GMTV series for three years as his first full time presenting role.
He owns a production company, Scrumptious House, which has released a DVD called Let's Sing Nursery Rhymes with Justin Fletcher. He also appears in a series of popular educational pre-school DVD's called Bee Bright.[11]
Fletcher voices for the CITV channel programme Jim Jam and Sunny, where he is the voice of both Jim Jam and Slim the cowardly giraffe.
His voice appears on the VTech Alphabet Desk, Turn and Learn Driver and the Bob the Builder phone, the children's train ride at Animal Farm Country Park near Burnham-on-Sea, a number of Crick Software titles.[12]
From December 2009-January 2010, Justin Fletcher played the character Buttons in Cinderella at the Capitol Theatre in Horsham, West Sussex.[13] From December 2010-January 2011, he played the character Josh the Jester in the pantomime Sleeping Beauty at The Hexagon theatre in Reading, Berkshire.[14] From December 2011 - January 2012, Justin played the character Wishy Washy in the pantomime Aladdin at The Hexagon theatre in Reading, Berkshire.[15]
He also attends festivals such as Camp Bestival in Dorset to entertain children. Fletcher is a patron for Bournemouth-based performing arts school Stagewise school.
His debut album 'Hands Up The Album' reached number 16 in the UK Albums Chart on 11 March 2012. In March 2013 he released his second album entitled 'Best Friends'.
Justin presents a daily radio show on Fun Kids weekdays from 9am to 10am called Justin's Word.
Awards
Orders of Chivalry
3,575 people signed a petition calling on the then Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, to give Justin an OBE.
The petition states: "Justin Fletcher is a communication genius. He both entertains and educates our children and does this with intelligence and panache 'without patronising'. Programmes like Something Special can only help bridge the gap that sometimes sadly appears between able and not so able bodied people in our society and help banish the unkindness that disabled people sometimes face due to ignorance."
The public were asked to vote on the Prime Minister's website, and the petition deadline passed on 20 September 2007.
He was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2008 Birthday Honours for services to "children's broadcasting and the voluntary sector".[16]
Professional awards
- BAFTA Children's Awards 2007[17]
- Nominated as Best Presenter for Something Special
- BAFTA Children's Awards 2008[18]
- Awarded Best Presenter for Something Special
- BAFTA Children's Awards 2010[19]
- Awarded Best Presenter for Something Special
- Nominated Best Performer for Gigglebiz
- BAFTA Children's Awards 2011[20]
- Nominated Best Presenter for Something Special
- BAFTA Children's Awards 2012[21]
- Awarded Best Presenter for Something Special
Filmography
| Years | Programme | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1997-1998 | Fun Song Factory | Himself (presenter) |
| 1999-2003 | Tweenies | Jake Doodles |
| 2000 | Chicken Run video game | Rocky Fetcher |
| 2002-2004 | Tikkabilla | Himself |
| 2004-2007 | Boo! | Growling Tiger Sleeping Bear |
| 2004-2010 | CBeebies on BBC Radio 7 | Himself (presenter) |
| 2005 | BB3B | Chubba |
| 2005 | Higgledy House | Himself |
| 2005-present | Something Special | Himself
|
| 2006-2012 | CBeebies Continuity Links | Himself (relief presenter) |
| 2006 | CBeebies Springwatch | Himself (presenter) |
| 2007-2010 | Shaun the Sheep | Shaun |
| 2008 | Famous 5: On the Case | Timmy Smidgie[22] |
| 2009-2011 | Gigglebiz | Anna Conda Ann Teak Mr Berrito Milkshake Jake Packed Lunch Pete Arthur Sleep King Flannel Rapids Johnson Chip Monk DIY Dan Captain Adorable Gail Force The Lost Pirate Nana Knickerbocker Simon Pieman Professor Muddles Farmer Dung Dina Lady Humphrey Postie Major Boogie Keith Fit Opera Oliver |
| 2009-2011 | Timmy Time | Yabba the Duck Finlay the Fox And Others |
| 2011-present | Justin's House | Himself |
| 2011 | Jollywobbles! | Himself and other characters |
| 2011 | Olly The Little White Van | Olly |
| 2014-2016 | Engie Benjy | Spaceship |
| 2014-2015 | Thomas & Friends | Percy |
Live Performances
References
- ↑ "Children's TV star appointed MBE". BBC News. 13 June 2008. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
- ↑ "BBC CBeebies website". 20 September 2009. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
- ↑ "BBC - CBeebies Presenters - Justin". Archived from the original on 2009-03-03. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "Interview: Justin Fletcher on Gigglebiz". CBeeBies. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
- ↑ "Interview: Justin Fletcher". CBBC. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
- ↑ "Justin Fletcher is Something Special". 12 November 2008. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
- ↑ "Gigglebiz Homepage". 20 September 2009. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
- ↑ "BBC - CBeebies - Justin's House". Retrieved 15 January 2013.
- ↑ "Jane Deane Home Page". Archived from the original on 2010-11-25. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
- ↑ "Top 10 Programmes - BARB". Retrieved 15 January 2013.
- ↑ "Bee Bright". Retrieved 15 January 2013.
- ↑ "Clicker Books @home". Retrieved 15 January 2013.
- ↑ Hewitt, Phil (4 December 2009). "PANTOMIME: All the major pantos in West Sussex and further afield". Midhurst and Petworth Observer (Johnston Press Digital Publishing). Retrieved 31 December 2009.
- ↑ "Justin Fletcher to star in Hexagon panto". March 3, 2010. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
- ↑ "Madge Bishop to star alongside Justin Fletcher in Aladdin". Retrieved 15 January 2013.
- ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 58729. p. 16. 14 June 2008.
- ↑ "Past Winners and Nominees - Children's - Awards - 2007". BAFTA. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
- ↑ "Past Winners and Nominees - Children's - Awards - 2008". BAFTA. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
- ↑ "Past Winners and Nominees - Children's - Awards - 2010". BAFTA. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
- ↑ "Past Winners and Nominees - Children's - Awards - 2011". BAFTA. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
- ↑ "Past Winners and Nominees - Children's - Awards - 2012". BAFTA. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
- ↑ "Justin Fletcher IMDB Profile". Retrieved 15 January 2013.
- ↑ Thomas H Green (31 July 2009). "Camp Bestival: punks, travellers and my mum and dad". The Daily Telegraph (London, England: Telegraph Media Group). Retrieved 5 September 2012.
- ↑ "Ellie Goulding, Tinie Tempah and The Gruffalo for Camp Bestival". eFestivals (Bristol, England: NRG Internet Ltd). 18 May 2010. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
- ↑ "Fall in love with Mr Tumble at Harvest at Jimmy’s". East Anglian Daily Times (Ipswich, England: Archant). 26 August 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
- ↑ "Camp Bestival '12". eFestivals (Bristol, England: NRG Internet Ltd). 24 July 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
External links
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