Latest news with #JacquelineWilson
BBC News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Jacqueline Wilson: 'I don't want to return to Tracy Beaker as an adult because we'd learn about her sex life'
Celebrated children's author Jacqueline Wilson has said she "would feel very wary" of writing about her beloved character Tracy Beaker in an adult book because "it would seem inappropriate [as] we would learn about Tracy's sex life".Dame Jacqueline has touched on Beaker as an adult through the eyes of the character's daughter Jess in her children's books My Mum Tracy Beaker and The Beaker Girls. But having recently announced Picture Imperfect, an adult sequel to her 1999 children's book, The Illustrated Mum, it doesn't look like an adult book based on Beaker will follow suit."I don't want to go there. That's my girl [Tracy] who I made everything happen for," Dame Jacqueline told an audience at the Hay Festival. She added that she had said "no, I would never do that" before, when planning future writing projects, but noted she had sometimes changed her mind, "so who knows?"Dame Jaqueline's Tracy Beaker books were made into a popular TV series for the BBC. Beaker was a young girl who was placed in a children's home due to neglect and domestic violence. The author said that she did generally enjoy returning to some of her characters once they had grown up: "I've been thinking about it over the years, because I've invented so many different girls, and it's interesting to think what happens to them when you finish writing about them."Dame Jacqueline recently brought back Ellie, Magda and Nadine in her adult fiction book Think Again, a continuation of her Girls in Love novels. The much-loved author, who was made a dame in 2008, is known for writing about difficult and dark issues in accessible of her books, some of which explore topics such as suicide, mental health and divorce, are aimed at children aged between seven and foray into adult books has brought a new kind of satisfaction, she explained."I'm an obsessive writer but worry people think I'm churning that [same] stuff out again, so it's lovely to challenge yourself."She said she enjoyed seeing many of her audiences come along to see her at events "because they read my books as children"."The children are still keen but it's the mums that get really excited! It's like a sort of farewell tour that hopefully will go on." Writing in pyjamas Despite having written more than 100 books, Dame Jacqueline said she still felt anxious when writing."Always about halfway through a book, even now, you think 'I've got the hang of this with all these books that I've written', but I get that terrible doubt and worry about it and and it's just something you learn. Work through it, get to the end."One habit that must help is that she writes in her pyjamas in bed, once she's fed the cat and let the dogs out first thing in the morning. "That's the magic time, and it just works for me. Apparently Michael Morpurgo does exactly the same!"But it wasn't always so easy to pick and choose her times to Jacqueline said: "I was idiotic enough to be married at 19 and had a child at 21."My husband wasn't a terrible man in the slightest but it was an age [the 1960s] when men went out and did, and women did everything else."She said she "adored" her baby daughter but she would only sleep for two hours at a time. When she did doze off, Dame Jacqueline said she wanted to sleep too but used the short window available to write. She got a little more time when her daughter Emma went to nursery in the mornings."It gave me an urgency. I'd write for two hours and then concentrate on her in the afternoon." Now the writing challenges are different, with the threat of AI looming over the writing profession. But Wilson doesn't seem too worried about it."I take comfort from the fact that my partner's brother-in-law... asked some AI thing to write a story for his daughter in the style of Jacqueline Wilson, and then he sent it to us. And either I've been blissfully unaware and I've been writing garbage or.... it was just unbearably awful."
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Jacqueline Wilson ‘very wary' of writing adult Tracy Beaker novel
Jacqueline Wilson has said she would feel 'very wary' about writing an adult novel about Tracy Beaker 'because it would seem inappropriate that we would learn about her sex life'. Last year, the beloved children's author published her first novel for adults since the 1970s. Think Again was a sequel to her Girls series for teenagers, which was published between 1998 and 2002, and revisited its protagonist Ellie, who in the new book is turning 40. It became a bestseller, resonating with fans who grew up with Ellie and her friends. Wilson has since announced a second adult sequel, due out in August, this time revisiting her 1999 children's book The Illustrated Mum. Writing these sequels 'gives me pleasure', Wilson told the audience at the Hay festival in Powys. But though she plans to write more, she said Beaker, her most famous character, is unlikely to be a subject. Beaker, largely thanks to the popular TV series based on Wilson's novels, has become much bigger than just the character she created, the author explained. The feisty, curly haired heroine means a great deal to Wilson personally, too: 'She's my girl that made everything happen for me.' So while she was happy to write about Beaker as an adult from the perspective of her daughter, Jess, writing about a grownup Tracy does not appeal, as it would involve writing about her sex life. 'I don't want to go there,' the 79-year-old author said. However, Wilson did add that over the years she has learned not to say, 'I would never do that.' In two or three years' time – 'if I've got them!' the author joked – 'something or other' might make her think, 'ah, I could do it this way,' she said. 'So who knows?' Wilson said she does know which of her former characters is next to be revisited in an adult book, but she hasn't started writing it yet, and her publishers won't allow her to say who it is. However, she said she hopes the book will be out next year, 'and I hope it will be a good choice'. The writer acknowledged that some people might think she is only taking on these adult projects because she 'can't get any new ideas', but she insisted that is not true. 'But I do like to go back,' she said. 'It's a kind of literary Friends Reunited.' During the Hay event, Wilson also expressed worry that 12 of her novels have apparently been used to train AI models. 'Authors are completely unable to monitor what happens,' and 'certainly don't give permission for that,' she said. However, the author 'takes comfort' from finding that, when her partner's brother-in-law asked AI to write a story for his daughter in the style of Jacqueline Wilson, 'it was just unbearably awful. So I hope anyone who likes my books could not be happy with an AI version.'
The Independent
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Jacqueline Wilson explains decision behind departure from long-time illustrator Nick Sharratt
Jacqueline Wilson, the acclaimed children 's author, has revealed that her 30-year collaboration with illustrator Nick Sharratt ended in 2021 after the release of 'The Runaway Girls'. Speaking at the Hay Festival, Wilson explained that Sharratt wanted to focus on other illustration projects, a decision she understood despite being 'devastated'. Wilson noted that Sharratt's desire for change was influenced by the pandemic, leading him to seek more time for his other artistic endeavors. Sharratt, who began illustrating for Wilson with 'The Story of Tracy Beaker' in 1991, created the iconic covers for books like 'The Illustrated Mum' and 'Dustbin Baby'. Wilson also discussed her new book, 'The Seaside Sleepover', illustrated by Rachael Dean, and her recent adult novel, 'Think Again', praising Dean as equally talented as Sharratt.
Daily Mail
26-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Dani Harmer, 36, reveals she has been diagnosed with perimenopause as she candidly opens up about health struggle
Former child star Dani Harmer has revealed she's been diagnosed with perimenopause as she opened up in a new TikTok video on Monday. The actress famously played Tracey Beaker, Jacqueline Wilson 's curly-haired schoolgirl in the TV show from 2002 to 2005. Dani also reprised the role in the spinoffs Tracy Beaker Returns in 2010, The Dumping Ground in 2013, and My Mum Tracy Beaker and The Beaker Girls in 2021. Now the 36-year-old TV star has opened up about her health struggle as she admitted it has taken a massive toll on her signature dark curls. She said: '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 like you can see the bald patches coming in but just like the texture. It's thinning - it's bad right.' Dani admitted she is quite low by her hair thinning and asked fans whether she should get hair extensions but said she is worried that it would make her locks worse. She continued: 'It could be a terrible idea, it might make my hair even worse to be honest but it's really getting me down now!' As for how she was diagnosed with perimenopause, Dani admitted it was her husband Simon who first noticed that her 'whole personality had pretty much changed'. The actress said her symptoms got 'too much to ignore' as her depression and anxiety increased and she also started experiencing 'brain fog', night sweats and sleep interruptions. Dani revealed that she went to the GP and saw a female doctor and got a 'diagnosis pretty swiftly'. They also did blood tests to rule anything else out. Sighing, she said: 'I felt like I was being possessed by someone else, it was horrible - I was just getting deeper and deeper into a dark depression. 'So I'm really glad that I went and I got help. My doctor was more than happy to put me on HRT.' Dani said she's been on HRT for around 18 months, and 'feels like myself again' and has lost the weight she gained during lockdown and that the only lasting side effect she is facing is hair loss and the 'odd hot flush' Dani said she's been on HRT for around 18 months, and 'feels like myself again' and has lost the weight she gained during lockdown. However the only lasting side effect she is facing is hair loss and the 'odd hot flush and stuff'. The Tracey Beaker star concluded by offering to try and answer fans questions about perimenopause. 'I'm definitely no expert at all! But if anyone has any questions I'll try and answer using my experiences,' she captioned. Fans took to the comments to offer their advice while others said they were 'proud' of Dani for sharing her journey. They wrote: 'Get some collagen powder! I have mine in a morning coffee and you can't taste it, if anything it makes it creamier; 'Rosemary oil on tiktok shop; Try weleda hair tonic! It's so good; So proud of you talking about this babe, love you xxx; 'Nooo no extensions this will thin it more. Wear your hair down more, no tight hair bands. Change your shampoo and routines. Silk pillow cases. Change your parting regularly. I'm going through the same x' The video comes hours after Dani detailed her 'traumatic' five-day labour as she told Vanessa Feltz on her Channel 5 show that her partner feared losing both her and their baby. She welcomed her first child Avarie-Belle, eight, with her partner Simon Brough in 2016. She went on to welcome second child, Rowan in 2022. Now the mother-of-two has revealed to Vanessa that delivering her firstborn wasn't without complications as was she was in labour for five days and it took 'a really long time to get over it'. Dani needed an emergency c-section for her first pregnancy and they faced the possibility of losing Dani and their baby. Appearing alongside James Jordan and Paula Rhone-Adrien, Dani said: 'I had a really traumatic first birth, with my first Avarie-Belle. 'I was in labour with her for five days which then resulted in an emergency cesarean - which is very different to an elective one. 'And it was really really scary. Not just for me but for my partner as well. I think it was more traumatic for him because he had to witness the whole thing. 'And it was scary for him thinking that he might not only lose his baby but he might lose me as well. 'I don't remember much of it because I was drugged up on a lot of different things, but it was an experience I really didn't want to have to repeat, so when we fell pregnant with my second, I really wanted to go for an elective caesarean. 'I found that they were really trying to persuade me to go for a natural birth and I said to them unless you can guarantee me that I'm going to give birth naturally, one hundred percent, then otherwise I will want an elective one.' Their daughter was born at 5pm on June, 29 and weighed 6lb 9oz. Dani confirmed that the trauma of her first pregnancy was the reason behind the six-year age gap between her two children. She gave birth to her second child, Rowan in February 2022 at 10.49am and weighed 8lb 3oz'.
The Sun
26-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Former child star, 36, bravely opens up about perimenopause diagnosis
A FORMER child star has left people stunned after revealing she's been diagnosed with perimenopause. Dani Harmer is most famous for playing Tracy Beaker - Jacqueline Wilson's curly-haired schoolgirl - in the TV show from 2002 to 2005. 3 3 She also reprised the role in the spinoffs Tracy Beaker Returns in 2010, The Dumping Ground in 2013, and My Mum Tracy Beaker and The Beaker Girls in 2021. Dani is now 36, and opened up about her health struggle in a video on her TikTok page, as she admitted it's taken a massive toll on her famous ringlets. "I have been diagnosed with perimenopause," she said. "And what I need your help with is my hair. "I am losing it like it is thinning so badly like you can see like the bald patches coming in but just like the texture. "It's thinning - it's bad right." She went on to ask whether she should get hair extensions, but added she was worried that they would make her tresses even worse. "It could be a terrible idea. it might make my hair even worse to be honest but it's really getting me down now!" she admitted, adding that she's also taking collagen supplements after being gifted them. As for how she was diagnosed with perimenopause, Dani admitted it was her husband Simon who first noticed that her " whole personality had pretty much changed". In addition to an increase in her depression and anxiety, she had bad "brain fog", night sweats and sleep interruptions. I've always had very thin hair but perimenopause made it worse -my little secret from Amazon fills in my bald spots "There was just too much to ignore," Dani admitted. So she went to the GP, saw a female doctor, and got a "diagnosis pretty swiftly". They also did blood tests to rule anything else out. "I felt like I was being possessed by someone else, it was horrible - I was just getting deeper and deeper into a dark depression," she sighed. "So I'm really glad that I went and I got help. "My doctor was more than happy to put me on HRT." What is the menopause and how does it affect women? The menopause is a transitional period all women go through in mid-life. Hormones related to the reproductive system deplete namely oestrogen, over a period of time. This doesn't just cause periods to stop. Sex hormones act all over the body, from the brain, skin, vagina and more. Therefore, dozens of symptoms affect all areas of the body, to varying degrees. Women's experiences of menopause vary greatly. While some breeze through it, others' lives are significantly impacted. It can feel as though it lasts a couple of years, or for decades. It cannot be predicted how each woman will fare. When is menopause? Perimenopause is when symptoms start but periods have not yet stopped, although they will be irregular. This can start in the early 40s. Menopause is when periods have completely stopped for a year. The average age this happens is 51, but it can be any time from 45 to 55, according to the NHS. The term 'menopause' is used to describe the experience overall. Menopause before the age of 45 is called early menopause, affecting five per cent of women. Menopause before the age of 40 is called premature menopause, affecting one per cent of women before 40 and 0.1 per cent of women under 30. This may happen for no clear reason, but also as a result of surgery, genetics or medications. A year after that the final period, a woman is considered to be entering the post-menopausal stage. How does it impact a woman's life? The menopause can be an extremely testing time in a woman's life and for those around her. The body is going through a significant change, and the symptoms that come with it can feel alien, with women sometimes describing a loss of sense of self. Physical symptoms include hot flushes (a sudden feeling of heat in the face, neck and chest), difficulty sleeping, night sweats, heart palpitations, headaches, muscle and joint aches, weight skin, skin changes, reduced libido, vaginal dryness and more. Symptoms affecting mental health or cognition include brain fog, memory loss, low mood, anxiety, low self-esteem and irritation. There are ways to manage symptoms and cope with menopause - and women need to know that they are not alone in facing it. Medication, such as HRT or oestrogen gel, can help attack the symptoms. However, experts often say it needs a rounded approach incorporating good lifestyle habits, such as a balanced diet and less alcohol. Many women report that their life began after menopause after it drew them to a healthier way of living. However, the huge burden it can have - on work, family life and more - is important for society to recognise, as adapting policies at work, for example, can make it easier for women to stick with their job. Read more about menopause on The Sun's Fabulous Menopause Matters campaign. Dani said she's been on HRT for around 18 months, and "feels like myself again". She's also lost the weight she gained during lockdown. And while she still has the "odd hot flush and stuff", the only lasting side effect is the hair loss. Dani concluded her video by offering to try and answer any questions anyone wanted to ask her about perimenopause. "I'm definitely no expert at all! But if anyone has any questions I'll try and answer using my experiences," she added in the caption. In the comments section, people shared their hair regrowth tips for Dani, with one writing: "Kerastase Genesis serum, once a day". "Oil once a week on hair wash day and your hair will be thicker in a month." "Try weleda hair tonic! It's so good," another added. "Rosemary oil on TikTok shop," a third commented. While others praised Dani for speaking about her perimenopause struggle. "I think I'm suffering with perimenopause too!" one wrote. "Kinda scary as I'm 34, but this video makes me feel so much better about it." "So proud of you talking about this babe," another added. As a third said: "Thanks so much for talking about it. I've felt so alone and confused at times with it!!" One person admitted they'd been left stunned by the fact Dani was old enough to have perimenopause - considering they still think of her as a teenager in Tracy Beaker. "Whaaaaat? You're about 17yrs old!" they exclaimed.
