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Scottish Sun
26-05-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Former child star, 36, bravely opens up about perimenopause diagnosis
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) 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. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Dani Harmer took to TikTok to open up about her struggle with perimenopause Credit: tiktok/@ 3 She said that she's been really suffering with hair loss Credit: tiktok/@ 3 Dani is most famous for playing curly-haired schoolgirl Tracy Beaker in the TV adaptation of Jacqueline Wilson's books Credit: CBBC 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.
Daily Mirror
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Tracy Beaker legend Dani Harmer was in labour for five days
Actress Dani Harmer admits she was traumatised by the birth of her first child and it influenced her decisions when she got pregnant with her second child. Dani Harmer, best known for her role as the iconic Tracy Beaker, has opened up about the traumatic birth of her first child - revealing she was in labour for five days before getting an emergency caesarean-section. She spoke about the experience to Vanessa Feltz on weekday Channel 5 show Vanessa, where she admitted that the experience left her fearing for her life. She told the show host: "I was in labour for five days. I then had to have an emergency C-section, which was really, really scary." Dani added that while the ordeal is a bit of a blur to her now because of the medication she was on while giving birth, the emotional toll it took affected her for a long time. Dani shared: "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." Although she originally had a firm stance on wanting to deliver via operation, Dani said she faced pressure to try and give birth naturally the second time around. At the time she hit back, saying: "Unless you can guarantee me that I'm going to give birth naturally, one hundred per cent, then otherwise I will want an elective one." The traumatised actress added: "If I think back to that first birth, I can almost cry about it, and it took a really long time to get over it." Dani, now 36, shot to fame in the early 2000s playing fiery schoolgirl Tracy Beaker. She later reprised that role on various spin-offs, including Tracy Beaker Returns, The Beaker Girls and most recently, The Dumping Ground. She made her directorial debut on the last series, which is a challenge she decided to embrace after shadowing directors on set. While speaking to the BBC about her return to the franchise, Dani said: "It is so good to be back and making a cameo as Tracy, she's been a part of my life for over 20 years now, but I'd quite happily play her forever!" Off-screen, Dani is also a devoted mum of two. Her daughter, Avarie-Belle, now eight, has mixed feelings about her mum's famous role. While she is a fan of Jacqueline Wilson's books and spin-off shows like The Dumping Ground, she wasn't exactly blown away by the original Tracy Beaker show. Dani laughingly recalled: "I tried to show her a bit of Tracy Beaker, but she was like, 'Mum, this is really boring.' I was like, 'How dare you!' Hopefully, she'll sit down and watch the OG series one day." On top of acting, Dani runs the Dani Harmer Academy, which is a LAMDA certified performing arts school that helps aspiring actors build confidence on and off screen.
Daily Mirror
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Tracy Beaker star makes surprising career move after book confession
The Story of Tracy Beaker star Dani Harmer has made a shock confession about the Jacqueline Wilson books that made her famous while revealing her surprising career move ' The Story of Tracy Beaker ' was a beloved British television show originally adapted from Jacqueline Wilson 's book of the same name. The show ran for five seasons from 2002 to 2005 and was adored by children nationwide. Dani Harmer, who played Tracy Beaker, has also been featured in numerous adaptations and spin-offs, portraying a care worker in Tracy Beaker Returns and a mother in The Beaker Girls. Harmer is renowned for her role as Tracy, and in the most recent season of the Beaker spin-off, The Dumping Ground, she not only made a cameo in but also made her directing debut. Surprisingly, Dani Harmer, who famously played Tracy Beaker, has admitted on TikTok that she's never actually read the original Tracy Beaker book, not even to this day. Despite becoming synonymous with the character, Harmer has said that the book simply wasn't part of her preparation or personal reading, and she even asked to 'borrow' her friend's book to go to the audition. Before her directorial debut, she shadowed The Dumping Ground directors before taking charge herself. She expressed that it was hard to take charge, but she felt comfortable directing the episode after 10 minutes behind the camera. Commenting on the new series, Dani told the BBC: 'It is so good to be back and making a cameo as Tracy, she's been a part of my life for over 20 years now, but I'd quite happily play her forever!' Despite her sporadic reappearance on Beaker spin-offs, Dani Harmer is also a mother to two children, who don't seem to quite understand how influential Dani's character really is. Dani, now 36, recently revealed that her eight-year-old daughter, Avarie-Belle, wasn't impressed with the original TV series. Speaking to Fubar Radio, Dani explained that her daughter was now old enough to watch the Tracy Beaker spinoffs, but had nothing good to say about the original, which her mum starred in. Dani explained: 'She (Avarie-Belle) loves all the Jacqueline Wilson books. She continued: "She's read Tracy Beaker, actually….. She's watched quite a lot of The Dumping Ground, and I tried to show her a bit of Tracy Beaker, but she was like, 'Mum, this is really boring.' I was like, 'how dare you!'. Hopefully, she'll sit down and watch the OG series one day.' Besides acting, Dani branched into the world of music back in 2008 after signing an impressive £3 million record deal with Universal. However, despite recording her debut album, 'Superheroes,' it was never released, and Dani later confirmed she had given up on her music career. Now, Dani continues to appear on British TV while also running her own performing arts academy, the Dani Harmer Academy. The academy, which is certified by the London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art (LAMDA), offers classes for adults and children who want to develop their skills and confidence on and off screen.
Daily Mirror
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Tracy Beaker stars now - actor 'who hasn't aged a day' to 'life-changing' move
Amid Tracy Beaker actress Dani Harmer's growing success on TikTok, The Mirror takes a look at what some of the cast of the iconic children's TV show are up to now Over the years Jacqueline Wilson has brought us some iconic characters – including the famous Tracy Beaker. Known for being loud and fierce on the surface, Tracy often found herself getting in trouble with grown ups, whether that was for eating a worm, accidentally letting two giant African land snails escape into the Dumping Ground or telling everyone she met to 'bog off'. But deep down all Tracy wanted was a home and a family to love, leading to plenty of more emotional moments too, though in true Tracy fashion, she would always inevitably brush any tears off as simply being down to her ' hay fever '. So iconic was the character that it inspired the BBC show The Story of Tracy Beaker which ran from 2002 to 2005 and featured an equally memorable theme tune. In honour of the noughties classic show, here The Mirror takes a closer look at what some of its cast are up to now… Tracy Beaker - Dani Harmer All fans of Tracy Beaker will know Dani Harmer as being the actress behind the character, having played her throughout all five series. Following the show's end, Dani has brought the character back to life on numerous occasions, most recently in January when she returned to our screens for one episode of The Dumping Ground. As well as playing Tracy, Dani, who has opened up on her children's savage reaction to the show, has appeared in various pantomimes and took part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2012 where she finished in fourth place. She also runs The Dani Harmer Academy in Berkshire and recently joined TikTok where she has already amassed a whopping 298,000 followers. Away from acting, Dani signed a record deal in 2008 though told her TikTok followers that they'd never hear her album, joking that it was 'better best forgotten'. Justine Littlewood - Montanna Thompson No show would be complete without some good old fashioned rivalry and Tracy's rival came in the form of Justine Littlewood, played by Montanna Thompson. Like Dani, Montanna has reprised her role on multiple occasions, most recently from 2021 to 2023 when she appeared in The Beaker Girls, though she's appeared in other shows including The Queen's Nose, Doctors and The Bill. Montanna is also on TikTok and has gained 32,500 followers where she gives updates from her life as a mum to son Cobey. Commenting on her debut on the platform, one fan wrote: 'You haven't aged one day omg'. Another added: 'Justine Littlewood omg you still look the same used to watch you when I was little'. Back in February she shared a worrying snap of herself in hospital as she revealed she was having 'pins put in' her leg, adding that it 'hopefully should start getting better now'. Mike - Connor Byrne Prior to appearing on Tracy Beaker as careworker Mike Milligan, actor Connor Byrne had already secured roles in the likes of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Inspector Morse and The Bill. In recent years he has returned to our screens for different Tracy Beaker spin-offs, and has appeared on soaps including Emmerdale. Speaking to Radio Times about his time on the show, he said: 'What I cherish was the ethos, the inclusivity, the didactic nature of all the shows. You can't love all the kids you work with, but many of them stole my heart. None more so than Dani – a wise head on very young shoulders, a funny head in a very serious job, a diligent head amongst the frivolity.' Cam - Lisa Coleman While Tracy may not have immediately hit it off with her eventual adoptive mum Cam, played by Lisa Coleman, after she set fire to her kitchen, the pair's relationship endured throughout the show. Throughout her acting career, Lisa has enjoyed roles on high profile shows such as Casualty, French and Saunders and Call The Midwife. Aside from her acting career, Lisa has completed a psychology degree from the Open University. 'I already work as a volunteer occupational therapist in a psychiatric unit,' she told The Independent in 2005. 'The work really fascinates me and I am beginning to think of giving up acting and training to be a psychiatric nurse. This degree is a great start to doing that. If I succeed, I'll be able to see if I was acting the role accurately.' Elaine 'the Pain' - Nisha Nayar While Tracy and social worker Elaine 'the Pain' notoriously didn't always get on, Dani has revealed that things couldn't be more untrue for her relationship with actress Nisha Nayar, explaining that she even keeps a picture of herself and Nisha 'by her bed'. Although the character Elaine 'the Pain' may be an iconic part of people's childhoods up and down the country, Nisha's acting credits don't end there. She has appeared in shows including Doctor Who, Law & Order: UK and ITV 's The Bay. On the big screen she starred in the 2023 film Unicorns alongside EasEnders' Ben Hardy and in the Oscar nominated film In America. Duke - Clive Rowe Loveable Duke was the thread that kept the Dumping Ground together as the home's resident chef and gardener. Prior to joining the children's show, actor Clive Rowe had already carved out a successful career in the world of acting, having been nominated for an Olivier Award in 1992 thanks to his role in Carousel. Five years later, he eventually won an Olivier for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical for his role in Guys and Dolls. Elsewhere on the stage, Clive has appeared in the likes of Sister Act, Kiss Me, Kate and Into the Woods. Meanwhile on the big screen he's also made a mark and starred in the 2017 live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast where he played Cuisinier, the castle's head chef who is turned into a stove. Louise - Chelsie George Louise may have been a shyer character on the show, but she certainly made her mark as Justine's best friend. Who could forget the time she and Tracy had a huge fight? Since her time on the show, Chelsie George has become a successful content creator and has secured 30,000 followers on Instagram where she documents all things motherhood and pregnancy. She also has her on YouTube channel filled with Tracy Beaker insights. Chelsie, who became a mum to daughter Goldie in 2023 is currently expecting her second child with husband Iain, who is due in November. In between juggling life as a busy mum and creating content for her followers, Chelsie runs Fit Peach Fitness which provides home workouts. Bouncer - Ben Hanson As one of the older children on the show, Bouncer's storyline was filled with twists and turns as he navigated the move away from the Dumping Ground before returning later as a chef. Nowadays actor Ben Hanson lives in America where he lives with his wife Kelsey. Reflecting on his decision to move to the US in a heartfelt Instagram post, he wrote: 'Just over 18 months ago, I made the decision to up route my life and start a fresh in America. My decision was lead by a prayer that I said one night probably at my lowest point. I asked for a sign of what I should do.' After dreaming of a voice, in an American accent, telling him how he was on the wrong path, he revealed: 'The saying 'That is not your path' changed my life, it gave me comfort, it gave me hope but most importantly it gave me the courage to up sticks and move to the states.' Lol - Ciaran Joyce Beside Bouncer at every turn was his beloved brother Lol, played by Ciaran Joyce. Following his stint on the show Ciaran went on to forge a name for himself in the world of acting, with credits including Torchwood, Holby City and Young Dracula. Most recently he appeared in the BBC show Wolf which premiered in July 2023. Back in August 2023, Ciaran opened up about his experience of sobriety as he celebrated being six years sober. 'It's not easy, but it's by far the best decision I ever made. Thank you to the sober community for its constant support, understanding and inspiration.' He added: 'I look back at that depressed, frustrated, anxious, confused, angry, functioning alcoholic young man and I'm proud of him. Really f***ing proud. I don't recognise him anymore but I know I had to walk in his shoes in order to be where I am today.'
