Children’s TV legend ‘in love with’ 20 years younger co-star

Justin Fletcher, 55, has had a long career in children’s television, having initially provided the voices for several of The Tweenies before taking on the role of beloved character Shaun the Sheep.

He has also appeared on screen in the CBeebies series Justin’s House and in Something Special, where he plays a variety of characters.

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The latter is the longest-running CBeebies programme and the longest running preschool series in Britain, with it being specifically aimed at children with delayed learning and communication difficulties.

The series has earned him two Bafta TV Awards and an MBE in 2008.

One of his most well-known characters is Mr Tumble, who has appeared in several shows alongside best friend Tootsie, portrayed by Samantha Dorrance since her debut in 2015.

Now, it has been revealed by The Sun that Ms Dorrance, 34, and Mr Fletcher – who is 20 years her senior – are in a relationship and living together in his £2.5 million six-bedroom Oxfordshire farmhouse near Henley.

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A source told the paper: “Justin and Samantha are madly in love and couldn’t be happier.”

They added: “Although there is an age gap it isn’t an issue between them.”

Previously Mr Fletcher has spoken about not being able to find time for love due to his busy work schedule but the two were recently spotted together near a hotel in Wolverhampton and the romance rumours have been confirmed.