Latest news with #JustinFletcher


Wales Online
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Butlin's major holiday park revamp with brand new attractions and deals from £69
Butlin's major holiday park revamp with brand new attractions and deals from £69 With a massive sale on all breaks across 2025 and 2026 , there's never been a better time to discover what's new at Butlin's With brand new soft play at Bognor Regis, guests can pay less to play more (Image: Butlin's ) Butlin's is launching a massive summer sale for holidays in 2025 and 2026, offering discounts of up to 40%. The deals include Midweek Showtime breaks at Bognor Regis from just £69 in June, Summer Holidays featuring Stephen Mulhern with three-night stays from £352, and special Justin Fletcher Tots Breaks starting at £79 in September. The Bognor Regis resort has recently undergone a makeover, with Butlin's going all out to ensure a memorable summer for its guests. The resort now boasts the company's largest-ever indoor Soft Play centre and a brand-new Puppet Theatre. These new additions are already a hit with families across the country, with thousands more expected to visit during the school holidays. The expansive soft play centre covers over 3,000 square feet across four floors, accommodating up to 200 energetic youngsters at a time - double the capacity of the previous facility. READ MORE: Woman loses four stone and keeps weight off for five years without giving up ice cream READ MORE: Mountain Warehouse raincoat 'ideal for milder days' is half price at Debenhams Access to the play area is included in the price of a family break and day passes. The Skyline Soft Play caters to children of all ages and is divided into three zones, each themed around the colourful characters of the popular Butlin's Skyline Gang. Each character has their own dedicated section filled with slides, climbing challenges, log ramps, cargo nets and more, along with a spacious multi-sensory area for babies, reports the Mirror. Save up to 40% on Butlin's holidays. Various Butlin's Buy Now on Butlin's Product Description Butlin's is offering up to 40% off family breaks in 2025 and 2026. For parents needing a breather while the kids play, there's a cosy new 100-seat café area where they can unwind with a brew. This latest addition to the soft play centre follows hot on the heels of last year's opening of the £15 million PLAYXPERIENCE - a cutting-edge 50,000 square feet immersive gaming attraction. The West Sussex resort has also introduced a charming Puppet Theatre alongside its soft play centre. This delightful venue will host engaging string puppet shows suitable for all ages, with new productions such as Under The Sea, Jingle in the Jungle, and Christmouse offering guests a sneak peek into the enchanting experiences lined up for this year. In an effort to make holidays more budget-friendly, Butlin's is offering these puppet shows free of charge to guests on breaks and day visits. The entertainment team guarantees a memorable experience filled with captivating puppetry, amusing characters and plenty of excitement for younger visitors. This £1.8 million investment is the latest in a series of exciting developments across Butlin's three seaside resorts. The £15 million indoor activity centre PLAYXPERIENCE at Bognor Regis boasts nine immersive gaming experiences, including laser tag, a VR games arcade, escape rooms, and more. Additionally, a second £2.5 million SKYPARK has opened in Minehead, offering an inclusive and interactive playground for children of all abilities. Last year also saw a significant £12 million investment in new Premium Lodges at the Maple Walk village in Skegness, featuring 128 contemporary-designed lodges at the heart of the Lincolnshire resort. The new Soft Play is in addition to the £15 million indoor activity centre PLAYXPERIENCE (Image: Butlins ) Holiday parks remain a beloved Great British institution, with millions of families returning year after year to join in the fun. If Butlin's isn't quite the right fit, Haven Holidays is celebrated for breath-taking coastal views and a wealth of caravan accommodations. It's an idyllic choice for those drawn to the call of nature and traditional seaside jaunts, yet it's Butlins that remains unchallenged in delivering top-notch family fun with its array of immersive and themed adventures. Parkdean Resorts echoes a similar vibe, boasting 66 parks studded along the UK's sought-after coastal regions. Echoing Haven's ethos, Parkdean thrives with inviting swimming pools, convenient on-site dining, and an assortment of seaside activities aimed at families. Center Parcs holds a special place in the hearts of many families, renowned for its array of activities nestled within the UK's enchanting forests. Although universally adored, the only sting is the cost that's notably steep over school breaks. Butlin's Bognor Regis boasts an impressive tally of over 3,900 five-star reviews on TripAdvisor. A thrilled visitor shared their experience, saying: "We had a lovely Easter break at Butlin's Bognor. Top quality entertainment, engaging and friendly staff and we had the weather too. Such good fun for young and old alike. Very impressed with the new soft play, the Splash water park was fabulous and from start to finish we received nothing but exceptional customer service." Another regular guest added their positive feedback: "This was our third visit to Butlin's within two years, needless to say we absolutely love brand new soft play and play experience are brilliant, soft play has very generous opening hours and the staff are really observant, looks like a much better replacement from the arena soft play." A family commented on their recent holiday: "We had a fun-filled tots week, busy all day, every day. Playxperience was a new 1 for us and we all enjoyed neo games- 4yr old right up to 60s." Nevertheless, not everyone left with rave reviews. One less impressed visitor noted: "Decided to give Butlin's a go for half term. Overall, for us adults, everything was a bit meh except for the entertainment, which was awesome." Article continues below Another positive review mentioned: "Always things to do never get bored. Very clean apartment. New playxperience building is very good, packed with new, fun experiences. Had great fun in laser tag. Brilliant and helpful staff." All of Butlin's holiday offers can be found here, encompassing destinations such as Minehead, Bognor Regis and Skegness. Depending on the date and location, guests could also secure up to 40% discount on meal packages.


Daily Mirror
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Mr Tumble's life from quitting BBC role, relationship status and famous dad
Justin Fletcher has been a staple of children's television for well over two decades, but away from the bright lights and cameras, the much-loved TV star keeps his private life out of the spotlight There's not a tot across the nation who wouldn't recognise Mr Tumble, having entertained and assisted countless children over the years. Despite his immense popularity among young viewers due to his work on CBeebies and his sell-out tours across the country, little is known about television personality Justin Fletcher when he's off duty. In fact, the highly acclaimed star, who was honoured with an MBE by the late Queen Elizabeth II, generally keeps his personal life out of the spotlight, although he has occasionally offered glimpses into his home life and upbringing. As a youngster, Justin frequently moved around with his parents due to his father's successful career as a music writer, which often necessitated relocation and brought some very famous faces to their family home. The beloved TV personality is actually the second oldest of five siblings - with a 12-year age gap between him and his youngest sibling - and Justin once told Metro: "There was always someone to play games with while we were growing up. My dad is a songwriter and my mum was a housewife," reports Surrey Live. At a tender age, the CBeebies star confided in his father, Guy Fletcher, expressing his desire to pursue acting and further his drama studies. His father warned him of the challenges he would face in the industry but gave him his "full support", something Justin continues to appreciate to this day. Net Worth The 54 year old entertainer has been the face of popular CBeebies shows like Gigglebiz and Justin's House. However, his most notable achievement is the programme Something Special, specifically designed to assist children with communication by integrating Makaton signs, speech and symbols throughout. Having been a hit on children's TV for over two decades, it's no surprise that his endearing characters have evolved into a multi-million-pound industry. Past reports suggest that his Something Special DVD sold over 100,000 copies, raking in more than £1 million, and an accompanying magazine generated a monthly income of £180,000. As a result, it's estimated that his net worth is around £1.5 million. Stepping down from BBC role Earlier this year, the television legend shocked fans when he announced he was stepping back from his proudest creation, Something Special, confirming he was passing the baton to three other presenters. After an impressive 22-year stint, during which the programme produced 12 series and five specials, Justin decided it was time to hand over the reins to TV stars Maddie Moate, Ben Cajee, and George Webster, who confirmed the news on social media. Relationship status and plans for starting a family The Bafta Award-winner, who voiced beloved characters such as Doodle and Jake in Tweenies, Shaun the Sheep and Harold from Thomas the Tank Engine, has dedicated his life to children's TV, so much so, that he's been too busy for romance. Back in 2012, kids' TV favourite Justin Fletcher, known to many as Mr Tumble, confided in The Mirror about the numerous romantic proposals he'd received from enthusiastic mums writing to him. He spilled to the publication: "I have had emails," and revealed his bachelor status with: "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." Although his diary's chock-a-block with showbiz commitments, Justin has got his heart set on fatherhood, sharing with the outlet his aspiration: "I do want to free up some time for myself and my family. I would love to have children so need to find someone who likes kids. A couple of kids would be lovely." He echoed this sentiment to the Metro in 2013, saying: "I'd love to have a family of my own in the future – I'd like to do that in the next few years but, at the moment, I'm producing three TV shows and do live tours. I can't keep doing this forever but if I finished next week, I'd feel I'd achieved a lot." Famous father Justin isn't just any entertainer; he's got showbiz in his blood, being the son of legendary songwriter Guy Fletcher, whose tunes graced the repertoires of icons like Elvis Presley, Ray Charles, and Joe Cocker. Chatting with BBC 6 Music's Chris Hawkins, Justin opened up about his musically rich upbringing and even revealed that his beloved character Mr 'Cliff' Tumble is an homage to Sir Cliff Richard. He shared: "I was always brought up around musicians and we had a recording studio built onto the house. My character Cliff Tumble is a homage to Sir Cliff, who I've met a lot and is lovely, very charming. "Dad wrote his Eurovision entry Power to All Our Friends. The biggest hit he wrote for Elvis was Just Pretend, which he used to perform in his Vegas shows. Pretty cool, really," Justin remarked.


BBC News
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
BBC and Aardman launch new series of Shaun the Sheep as beloved character celebrates 30-year anniversary
Produced by multi-award-winning independent studio Aardman, Shaun the Sheep is back for a side-splitting new series of the stop motion animation, with more madcap adventures from Shaun and the flock. The family favourite launches with a double episode 'Shirleyverse' on CBBC and BBC One at 3.30pm on Saturday 24 May, a heartwarming tale about learning to value a friend. Everything Shaun knows and loves comes into question, when he impulsively wishes away his pal Bitzer the dog. The new series is available to watch on BBC iPlayer from Saturday 24 May. Now in its seventh series, Shaun the Sheep follows the exploits of Shaun, the long-suffering, loyal sheepdog Bitzer and the flock at Mossy Bottom Farm. It features classic Shaun the Sheep scenarios – relatable, everyday situations with a rural twist – spun into comedy gold by the flock. Vocal effects are by CBeebies star Justin Fletcher (Shaun the Sheep, Timmy, the Pigs and Mowermouth) and comedian and actor John Sparkes (Farmer, Bitzer and Bitzer's Dad), with a theme tune sung by Vic Reeves. Director of BBC Children's & Education, Patricia Hidalgo, says: 'We're so proud of our longstanding relationship with Aardman, supporting British animation and bringing families more Shaun the Sheep adventures. As you would expect, the new episodes are brilliantly characterised and full of British humour, as we celebrate this very special anniversary year by bringing audiences together to be entertained by Shaun and his pals.' Chief Creative Director at Aardman, Sarah Cox adds: 'It's a real joy to be marking Shaun the Sheep's 30th anniversary with brand-new episodes on the BBC — our longtime creative partner. This new series continues to celebrate Shaun and the flock's unique blend of warm and witty mischief through visual storytelling that aims to entertain all ages.' In celebration of the anniversary and as part of the special TV event, BBC One and CBBC will also air Wallace & Gromit: A Close Shave, Aardman's Academy Award-winning film which first introduced the character Shaun the Sheep to audiences in 1995 (3pm, Saturday 24 May, BBC One and CBBC). The Shaun the Sheep double episode at 3.30pm is followed on BBC One by the most recent Wallace & Gromit film, Vengeance Most Fowl (3.45pm, Saturday 24 May, BBC One) which became the most-watched programme in the UK over Christmas, demonstrating the appetite for British storytelling and the love for these iconic characters. On CBBC, viewers can watch the brand-new double episode (3.30pm, Saturday 24 May) followed by Shaun the Sheep back-to-back episodes (3.45pm) and Shaun the Sheep Movie (5.00pm). The new series is available on BBC iPlayer from Saturday 24 May and more episodes will air at 7am weekdays from Monday 26 May on CBBC. Shaun the Sheep series 7 was commissioned by Director of BBC Children's & Education, Patricia Hidalgo and Sarah Muller, Senior Head of Commissioning and Acquisitions 7+. Lucy Pryke is the Commissioning Executive for BBC Children's. WDR Germany is co-producer of the series. The show, which was originally created by Richard Starzak, is delivered by a stellar Aardman team, directed by Seamus Malone (Lloyd of the Flies) and produced by Danny Gallagher (Robin Robin) with Jacqueline White as Senior Producer/Executive Producer and Carla Shelley and Sarah Cox as Studio Executive Producers. Watch Shaun the Sheep on BBC iPlayer HH
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Yahoo
San Angelo airport director reminds passengers are now required to be REAL ID compliant
SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) —Texas residents with upcoming travel plans are now required to present what is called a REAL ID to be able to board an airline. Justin Fletcher is the San Angelo Regional Airport Director and says passengers should double-check if their IDs are compliant before going to the airport. 'What that means for passengers when you are coming through the airport, if you are a Texas resident, it simply means that your driver's license has to have the gold star in the top right-hand corner,' Fletcher said. The Texas Department of Public Safety reports that as of this month, the state of Texas is 98% compliant compared to other states reporting compliance in the teens. If you do not see that gold star on your license, it's time to make the change, as Fletcher says a non-compliant ID could cause some delays at airport security. 'If you are flying without a REAL ID…you haven't had your ID transferred over just be aware there will be additional screening required…if you do have a REAL ID or you have a passport you'll be able to flow right through security,' Fletcher said. In Texas, the department of public safety does not allow expedited appointments to obtain your REAL ID. Fletcher says there are other documents that you can present in place of a REAL ID to prove your identity. 'You'll need to provide a document that has your social security number on it…so a W2 or a pay stub…any of those documents that indicate your social security number,' Fletcher said. Fletcher says that San Angelo is a smaller community, and he has seen little to no passengers out of compliance. He still stresses the importance of having a REAL ID to make the boarding process easier for the passenger and TSA officers. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to


The Sun
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
The £1 passes that make a family trip to Butlin's cheaper than a swim at my local leisure centre
My family loves a Butlin's trip and I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the latest day pass deal of just £1 for children. That actually makes it cheaper for me to take my three boys for a swim at Butlin's than at my local leisure centre, where I have to pay more than a fiver per person. 6 6 Instead of spending £20 for an hour in the pool, I could spend £15 for an adult day pass and then £3 for the boys and enjoy a full day out at the seaside resort, with swimming, funfair rides and shows in the Skyline Pavilion all included. With the incredible Skyparks at Skegness and Minehead and the brand-new soft play at Bognor, now's a good time to head to your nearest site for a day to try out the latest family-friendly facilities, particularly if you have a school inset day in May, like we do. This deal is only available term-time midweek until May halfterm, so you need to be quick if you're going to take advantage. Prices for day passes in halfterm rise to as much as £33 for adults and £23 for children depending on the resort, so it could be a huge saving to go midweek in May. Plus it'll be much quieter when everyone else is at school, so you can make the most of your family fun without battling crowds of holidaymakers. If you've always wondered whether a Butlin's break is for you, this could be the perfect way to give it a go with minimal investment in time or money, before you decide whether you'd like to book a longer stay. And it's a great deal if you've got little ones who aren't school age yet, as they will love all the shows in the Skyline such as Peppa Pig or the Skyline Gang, which tend to be geared towards their age group. In fact, for some of the day pass dates, you'll need to have a tot in tow as you can't get onto site during the weeks aimed at young families without someone aged 14 or under in your party. As always, you need to factor in the age of those you're taking to work out if you might actually be better off going on a May weekend, when day passes are £15 for adults and £5 for children. For example, if you have grandparents in your party, they only cost £5 at weekends, but £11 during the week. 6 6 Day visitors won't be able to see the shows in venues like Studio 36, Reds or Centre Stage, so if you're hoping to catch a headline act like Justin Fletcher aka Mr Tumble during a Showtime Tots week, that won't be possible. And your ticket doesn't include parking, so you need to factor that in to your budget for the day as well. The best value is at Skegness, where parking is available on resort, with a charge of £1 per day to be donated to Great Ormond Street Hospital. Parking for Bognor Regis day visitors is at the council pay and display car park opposite the day visit entrance on Gloucester Road and costs £13.90 for more than six hours. At Minehead, day visitors can use Warren Road Upper car park, which costs £7.30 for the day. While on site, you'll be able to take advantage of the 'kids eat for a quid' deal, that runs at the resort restaurants from midday to 3pm. 6 6 For each adult meal purchased at Papa John's, Firehouse Grill, the Diner or the Beachcomber Inn, you can add a £1 child's meal. Day visitors at Bognor can book Playxperience activities if there is availability, but they do need an existing day visit booking to do so in advance.