Something Special is a children's television programme produced and broadcast by the BBC. The producer is Allan Johnston who worked as a teacher of children with special needs before joining the BBC in 1989. 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 in the past 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.
It is presented by Justin Fletcher and features various other characters and clips of disabled children. Justin speaks as well as signing, and a spoken narrative is provided over the clips of children.
The characters played by Justin are the Tumble Family: Mr Tumble, an adult clown who himself displays delayed learning and communication difficulties, Grandad Tumble and Baby Tumble. Other members of the Tumble family to have made appearances include two Aunts - Polly and Suki, Lord Tumble and King Tumble.
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Best Episodes of Something Special
Music
S6 Ep11
8.0
Justin and his friends perform The Hello Song to their friends. Meanwhile, Mr Tumble wants to be a pop star after watching his favourite singer Cliff Tumble on the TV.
Strawberry Picking
S6 Ep12
7.0
Justin goes strawberry picking with his friends, Jessica and Mason. Mr Tumble is very hungry and goes looking for fruit in the garden.
Baby
S6 Ep8
7.0
Justin visits his friend Josh and helps him look after his baby sister Olivia for the day, while Mr Tumble gets ready for a very special baby visitor of his own.
Harbour
S2 Ep6
7.0
Justin meets Jake and Stuey at Weymouth Harbour, where they have a boat ride. Meanwhile, Mr Tumble and Granddad Tumble try to do some painting at the harbour.
Colours
S1 Ep12
7.0
24th Sep 2007
This programme shows you how to sign red, blue and yellow
Weather
S1 Ep2
7.0
13th Mar 2007
The weather is always changing, so Mr Tumble tries to wear clothes to suit the conditions.
Football
S3 Ep13
6.5
Justin meets Lily-Sue and Curtis at Craven Cottage (Fulham Football Club), Craven Cottage and play football with them. Meanwhile, Mr Tumble and Granddad Tumble play football with each other in a garden.
Football
S2 Ep5
6.5
Justin meets Lily-Sue and Curtis at Fulham Football Club, Craven Cottage and play football with them. Meanwhile, Mr Tumble and Granddad Tumble play football with each other in a garden.
Farm
S1 Ep5
6.5
14th Sep 2007
This episode is about a farm. What animals will there be?
Routines
S6 Ep15
6.0
Justin spends the day with his friend Danny finding out what he does after school each day. Meanwhile Mr Tumble shows us what he does before he goes to bed.
Sleepover
S6 Ep14
6.0
Justin and his friend Bobbi find out what it's like to have a sleepover. They unpack Bobbie's overnight bag, have a barbeque on the beach and finish up with a lovely drink of hot chocolate. Mr Tumble is having a sleepover of his own in his garden.
Worst Episodes of Something Special
Mountain
S2 Ep9
3.5
Justin meets Jack and his teacher on Mount Snowdon in Wales. Meanwhile, Mr Tumble wants his toy duck to have a paddle in a mountain lake.
Pets
S1 Ep1
3.8
14th May 2007
Pretend to be a cat, a dog or a rabbit with Mr Tumble, and find out how to sign a variety of animals. Plus, a trip to a pet shop.
Moving
S1 Ep3
6.0
14th Mar 2007
Come for a run and a jump with Mr Tumble, who also pretends to swim as well as learning useful signs.
Beach
S2 Ep1
6.0
Justin spends a day on a beach in Dorset with Chloe and Sophie. Meanwhile, Mr Tumble encounters Granddad Tumble at the beach.
Camping
S2 Ep2
6.0
Justin meets Harry and his family camping in the New Forest. Meanwhile, Mr Tumble has trouble setting up his tent to go camping
Castle
S2 Ep3
6.0
Justin visits Carrickfergus Castle in Northern Ireland, and meets Jack, Caroline and Ross. Meanwhile, Mr Tumble dons a crown, and pretends to be a King
Farm
S2 Ep4
6.0
Set on a farm near Belfast, Justin meets Ernie and Samantha. Meanwhile, Mr Tumble decides to help out on the farm.
High Street
S2 Ep7
6.0
Justin meets Gary and Bridget in Enniskillen High Street, where they visit various shops. Meanwhile, Mr Tumble goes to the library, and upsets Aunt Polly and Aunt Sukey with his loudness. Mr Tumble introduces various members of his family via a book found in the library and a song is performed by Cliff Tumble (a parody of Cliff Richard).
Market
S2 Ep8
6.0
Justin meets Ross and goes shopping with him at a Belfast market. Meanwhile, Mr Tumble sells Granddad Tumble and Aunt Sukey some items on his market stall.
Railway
S2 Ep10
6.0
Set at an old fashioned steam railway station, Justin meets Daniel, Callum and Miriam, and goes on a train ride with them. Meanwhile, Mr Tumble decides to work at the station.
School
S2 Ep11
6.0
Justin goes to a school and meets Noor, who is in the hydrotherapy pool, and spends the day with her. Meanwhile, Mr Tumble plays some musical instruments to children in a classroom.
Something Special Episode Guide
Pets
S1 Ep1
3.8
14th May 2007
Pretend to be a cat, a dog or a rabbit with Mr Tumble, and find out how to sign a variety of animals. Plus, a trip to a pet shop.
Weather
S1 Ep2
7.0
13th Mar 2007
The weather is always changing, so Mr Tumble tries to wear clothes to suit the conditions.
Moving
S1 Ep3
6.0
14th Mar 2007
Come for a run and a jump with Mr Tumble, who also pretends to swim as well as learning useful signs.
Farm
S1 Ep5
6.5
14th Sep 2007
This episode is about a farm. What animals will there be?
Colours
S1 Ep12
7.0
24th Sep 2007
This programme shows you how to sign red, blue and yellow
Seasons
S1 Ep31
Justin explains that every year there are four seasons. He explores each one.
