Strictly Come Dancing star shares shock perimenopause diagnosis aged 36

Edinburgh Live

27-05-2025

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Dani Harmer, famed for her role as the feisty Tracy Beaker, has taken to TikTok with an emotional plea for advice as she battles hair loss due to perimenopause.
The beloved actress, who gained stardom portraying Jacqueline Wilson's iconic character from 2002 to 2005, revealed her struggles in a heartfelt clip.
Opening up, Strictly star Dani shared her distress, "I have been diagnosed with perimenopause. And what I need your help with is my hair. I am losing it – like it is thinning so badly you can see the bald patches coming in."
The 35-year-old went on: "Just like the texture – it's thinning. It's bad, right?"
She reached out to her followers, pondering over the idea of getting extensions, despite worrying they might further damage her already thinning hair.
She said: "It could be a terrible idea. It might make my hair even worse, to be honest. But it's really getting me down now."
(Image: (Image: Getty))
The much-loved star also disclosed that her husband, Simon Brough, was the one who first noticed a shift in her demeanour, recognising her increased depression and anxiety.
Dani didn't hold back on detailing her ordeal with other typical indicators of perimenopause, such as brain fog and night terrors, sharing the realities of the pre-menopausal phase that women can face as early as their 30s or 40s.
Despite the hurdles she's been grappling with, Dani revealed that nearly two years of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has finally helped her feel like herself again.
"The only things that have really stuck are the hair loss and the odd hot flush," she added.
(Image: (Image: Getty))
The actress also offered her insights to women experiencing similar situations, stating: "I'm definitely no expert at all! But if anyone has any questions I'll try and answer using my experiences."
Her video elicited a wave of emotional support and practical advice from fans on how to combat her hair loss, with suggestions ranging from collagen powder and rosemary oil to Jamaican black castor oil and silk pillowcases.
One commenter advised: " Nooo no extensions – this will thin it more. Wear your hair down more, no tight hair bands. Change your shampoo and routines. Change your parting regularly. I'm going through the same."
Perimenopause can trigger a variety of symptoms such as irregular periods, mood swings, brain fog, hot flushes, and sleep disturbances. Other typical signs of this transitional phase include vaginal dryness, sensitive teeth, decreased libido, and changes in skin and hair.