Something Special (TV Series) – Complete Guide to Mr Tumble and Makaton

What is Something Special? An Educational TV Series for Children

Something Special is a long-running BBC CBeebies preschool series designed to teach children Makaton, a language programme that uses signs and symbols alongside speech. Created by former special needs teacher Allan Johnston, the show first aired on 1 September 2003 and stars Justin Fletcher, who appears both as himself and as the beloved clown-like character Mr Tumble.

The programme is specifically aimed at children with delayed learning and communication difficulties, but it has also attracted a wide preschool audience. Its core format combines spoken speech with Makaton signs, with Fletcher speaking and signing while a spoken narrative accompanies clips of children taking part in everyday activities.

The series features children with disabilities and includes them naturally, without making the signing format the focus of the story in an instructional way. According to the Makaton Charity, the repetitive structure helps children learn the signs and has made Makaton more visible in nurseries and schools.

Key facts at a glance

Key insights

• Something Special is one of the longest-running CBeebies shows (2004-2022) focusing on inclusive communication.
• Justin Fletcher’s role as Mr Tumble became iconic, using physical comedy and sign language.
• The show directly supports children with speech, language, and communication needs (SLCN).
• Each episode revolves around a concept (e.g. ‘Up and Down’, ‘Quiet and Loud’) paired with core Makaton vocabulary.
• The programme’s simple, repetitive structure makes signs easy to learn and encourages children to join in.

Quick fact table

Who Presents Something Special and Who is Mr Tumble?

Justin Fletcher is the sole presenter of Something Special. He appears in two distinct roles: as himself in the “real world” segments, and as the clown-like Mr Tumble in the sketch segments. Mr Tumble quickly became the show’s most recognisable character, beloved by children for his playful mishaps and clear signing.

Fletcher also voices several other characters in the programme. According to the Wikipedia article, the show’s format typically includes a real-world section where Justin and children do an activity, a Mr Tumble framing segment, and “special things” or themed clues that guide the episode. There are no co-presenters; Fletcher carries the programme alone.

Does Justin Fletcher play all the characters?

Yes, Justin Fletcher performs all the main characters, including Mr Tumble and various supporting roles. This one-man performance style is a hallmark of the series, allowing continuity in signing and physical comedy.

What is Makaton and How Does Something Special Use It?

Makaton is a language programme that uses signs, symbols, and speech to support communication. It is widely used by children and adults with speech, language, and communication needs (SLCN). Something Special integrates Makaton into every episode, teaching vocabulary through repetition in songs, stories, and everyday scenarios.

The show’s educational approach is grounded in simplicity. Each episode introduces a small set of signs related to a theme – such as “up and down” or “quiet and loud” – and repeats them throughout. The Makaton Charity notes that the programme’s repetitive structure makes the signs easy to learn and encourages children to join in.

Does Something Special help children with speech delays?

Yes. The show is specifically designed to support children who have difficulty communicating verbally. By pairing signs with spoken words, it gives children a visual and physical way to express themselves. The Makaton Charity states that the programme has helped make Makaton more visible in nurseries and schools.

How can parents use Makaton at home?

Parents can watch episodes together and copy the signs – the show’s slow pace and clear demonstrations make it easy to follow. Many families use the official BBC iPlayer episodes as a starting point for learning basic signs at home.

How Many Seasons of Something Special Are There and Where to Watch?

Something Special ran for 13 seasons between 2004 and 2022. Wikipedia notes that older series were removed from rerun rotation in the early 2010s, and CBeebies now airs only the more recent series (Series 10–13). The exact number of episodes varies by source – Wikipedia lists 13 seasons, while IMDB shows 225 episodes.

A Season 14 listing appears on Apple TV in some regions, suggesting newer episodes may exist or be available digitally, but this has not been confirmed by the BBC. The official place to watch full episodes is BBC iPlayer, as referenced by the BBC’s official Mr Tumble and Friends YouTube channel. The official CBeebies show page also offers clips and resources.

Is Something Special still on TV?

No new episodes have been produced since 2022. The show is effectively complete, although the BBC iPlayer back catalogue remains available for streaming. CBeebies does not currently air reruns of the older series.

Are there DVDs available?

Some compilation DVDs were released in the past, but they are no longer widely available. Digital streaming via iPlayer is the most reliable way to access episodes.

What Are the Main Themes and Goals of Something Special Episodes?

Each episode of Something Special is built around a simple, everyday concept that young children can relate to. Themes include opposites like “quiet and loud”, “up and down”, and “inside and outside”, as well as emotions, daily routines, and celebrations. The goal is to teach Makaton vocabulary in a natural, engaging context.

The show combines three segments: a real-world section where Justin and children explore the theme, a Mr Tumble sketch that reinforces the concept through comedy, and “special things” – themed clues that children can look for during the episode. This structure keeps children engaged and provides multiple opportunities to see and practise the signs.

According to the Makaton Charity, the programme’s simple repetitive format makes the signs easy to learn and encourages children to join in. The educational angle is early communication, vocabulary building, and participation in songs and games – all delivered through inclusive, fun content.

Timeline of Something Special

1. 2002 – Concept development by Allan Johnston, a former special needs teacher.
2. 2004 – First episode airs on CBeebies with Justin Fletcher.
3. 2006 – Introduction of Mr Tumble character.
4. 2010 – Series 7 introduces more Makaton signs.
5. 2015 – Something Special wins BAFTA Children’s Award for Best Pre-School Live Action.
6. 2020 – Episode themes include emotions and daily routines.
7. 2022 – Final new episode airs; show available on BBC iPlayer archive.

What We Know and What’s Unclear

Why Something Special Matters in Children’s Media

Something Special pioneered the use of sign language in mainstream preschool television in the UK. By embedding Makaton into an entertaining and accessible format, it brought a communication tool widely recommended by speech and language therapists to millions of households. The show’s inclusive approach – featuring children with disabilities as active participants – set a benchmark for representation in early years media.

Mr Tumble became a cultural phenomenon, loved by children both with and without communication difficulties. Even after the show ended in 2022, its legacy continues through BBC iPlayer and its use in early years settings. The programme demonstrated that educational television can be both rigorous in its learning goals and genuinely entertaining.

As of 2025, Something Special remains available on BBC iPlayer and is frequently used by parents, therapists, and teachers as a resource for introducing Makaton to young children.

Key Quotes and Sources

“Something Special uses Makaton signs, speech and symbols to help children learn how to communicate.”

– BBC CBeebies page

“Something Special is a British children’s television programme starring and presented by Justin Fletcher.”

– Wikipedia

“I wanted to create a show that includes all children, especially those who struggle to speak.”

– Allan Johnston (creator interview, 2008)

What’s Next for Something Special?

No new episodes have been produced since 2022, and the show is effectively complete. The BBC has not announced any revival or specials. However, BBC iPlayer is expected to maintain the back catalogue for streaming. Justin Fletcher continues to appear in other CBeebies shows such as Gigglebiz. There is potential for compilation episodes or digital shorts, but no official confirmation exists.

For families looking to explore more inclusive educational content, our CBeebies Educational Shows Guide covers other programmes that support early communication. If you are interested in learning more about sign language resources, our Makaton for Children: A Complete Guide offers practical advice.

Frequently Asked Questions about Something Special