Latest news with #TheStoryofTracyBeaker
Daily Mirror
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
BBC star unrecognisable 23 years after finding fame in Tracy Beaker
Chelsie Padley starred as Louise Govern in the first episode of The Story of Tracy Beaker and now, 23 years later, she's completely unrecognisable from her days on the BBC show More than twenty years after rising to fame, a former BBC child star has become unrecognisable as she shares glimpses of her current life on social media. Chelsie Padley, who graced our screens in the inaugural episode of The Story of Tracy Beaker back in 2002, is now captivating followers with a different kind of storytelling. She portrayed Louise Govern, Justine Littlewood's friend, for 57 episodes until 2004, sharing the screen with Dani Harmer who played the titular character, Tracy. These days, Chelsie has swapped the TV spotlight for the role of a content creator and fitness influencer, focusing on home workouts. Chelsie, 34, celebrated her marriage to Iain George last year, and the couple are now excitedly expecting their second child, following the birth of their daughter Goldie in 2023, reports Wales Online. Keeping her fans in the loop, Chelsie has been documenting her "Preggo Diaries" since announcing her pregnancy in March with a heartfelt video that captured the moment she discovered the positive test and broke the news to Iain. Her announcement came with a playful caption: "There's a bun in the it's not sourdough. "Baby George #2 due in November. Hands up if you think Goldie is gonna be the best big sister?" She also shared: "I've only known 3 weeks but I can't wait to be able to tell you why I'm friggin knackered." The news was met with a wave of congratulations from fans and friends, including Zoe Sugg who commented: "Congratulations" and her former co-star Dani Harmer who added: "Yay!!!!!! Congratulations!!!!" Beyond updates on motherhood and her pregnancy journey, Chelsie has also been entertaining her audience with throwback diary entries from her time on the set of Tracy Beaker. Earlier this year, Chelsie shared a nostalgic video where she read from her diary about filming a 2004 Children In Need episode, telling fans: "So from Saturday 2nd November, and then it's got 'Best Day Ever' in a box, 'Today was immense'." She went on to describe her excitement: "I went to costume and wore my gorge red skirt and Beaker T-shirt, which I kept so I've got a well nice skirt now and it's short. Then went to make-up and got my bunches and my spots covered." Amidst laughter, Chelsie took a moment to chuckle and exclaimed "Bless me," before continuing: "We went to the green room for a bit and gradually, celebs started arriving." Detailing her interactions, she said: "My only scene before lunch was the one with celebs Abs, who I was with, Rani, Kate and Handy Andy, who are all mainly presenters. Abs was really nice and funny and talkative." She recounted further encounters: "Then had lunch and other celebs arrived, Michael Fish, the legend weatherman. Kevin, chef, and Shane Lynch from Boy Zone." Reflecting on the surreal experience, she noted: "It's so weird seeing famous people, but I got pics with most of them. One scene I had to dance with the weatherman, I saw Connor from series one, he's fine but surprised to see me." Chelsie described the bustling set: "I did about four seasons just dancing and mingling, there were 30 child extras and 30 adult extras." Concluding her trip down memory lane, Chelsie declared, "That really was the best day ever," a sentiment echoed by her followers. Cara Readle, known for her role as Layla Jones in Tracy Beaker, joined in the reminiscing, commenting: "Omg I forgot Michael Fish! This is hilarious!! I got so many photos of this day." "I follow you for the crazy mumness and fab vibe, but now to find out you were in a beaker," one follower commented. "Mini Chelsie was just the same as u are now," chimed in another.
Daily Mirror
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Tracy Beaker star visits tattoo parlour and gets design that fits her perfectly
A tattoo artist was delighted when Dani Harmer - star of 2000s children's TV series The Story of Tracy Beaker - arrived at her studio with a very specific request A tattoo artist couldn't help but share her delight after a children's TV star from Tracy Beaker arrived at her parlour with an unusual request. Dani Harmer played the lead role in The Story of Tracy Beaker - the television adaption of the popular Jacqueline Wilson books - from 2002 to 2005. Two decades on, Dani, now 36, decided to pay tribute to the role that shot her to stardom by visiting Holly Marie's studio in Coventry. The artist took to TikTok to document the encounter as she gushed: "Bog off! I can't believe TikTok brought me and Dani Harmer together and we were able to make these tattoos." Her video began with the pair waving to the camera as Holly Marie exclaimed: "Today I tattooed Tracy Beaker... on Tracy Beaker, so let me show you everything that we did today." The clip continued, showing the grand reveal of Dani's first inking just above her right ankle - depicting Tracy in the original illustration style used in the kids' novels. "Dani said that she'd always wanted a Tracy Beaker tattoo but she'd never found the right artist, and I just can't believe that I got to be that artist," Holly Marie gushed. With Dani giving it the thumbs up, Holly Marie went on to showcase her second piece of work - a Lord of the Rings tattoo on Dani's forearm. "She also trusted me to do a very personal tattoo, which has elements to do with her children, her partner and herself and her life - including the non-profit organisation she has that I had no idea about," she added. Holly Marie signed off: "Thank you so much Dani for chatting with me whilst we listened to Queen and Taylor Swift and just being an all-round delightful person." Writing in response, one TikTok user declared: "Career highlight! This is at the top of your CV now right?" A second person quipped: "This is one of the most British flexes you could possibly obtain." A third pondered: "Imagine being able to say that you've tattooed Tracy Beaker." Meanwhile a fourth TikTok user said: "I absolutely love this! OG Tracy Beaker really brings me soo much nostalgia and comfort." Dani took to the platform herself, meanwhile, to share her account of the day. "I visited the amazing Holly and she is an absolute icon," she stated. "Her work is beyond gorgeous." The actress continued, proudly showing off her new tattoos. "I'm going to call it 'The Story of My Life'," Dani said of third design Holly Marie revealed. "It's super personal for me and it's got all of my favourite things in it - and I love it." As she prepared herself for the Tracy Beaker tattoo, she added: "Guys it is finally happening - I am getting a Tracy Beaker tattoo on my leg. I think it's going to hurt, but I'm ready." After the event, she praised: "There she is in all her glory with my stubbly legs! Ain't she pretty?" "What's more iconic than Tracy Beaker getting a Tracy Beaker tattoo?" one TikTok user joked in reply to Dani's clip. Another fan admitted: "I love all the tattoos but I'm surprised the Tracy Beaker one didn't say 'Bog Off' or the worm she ate or the clock or anything other amazing Tracy Beaker says." And a third said: "I think all Tracy Beaker fans should get this tattoo, also it's amazing. I think having tattoos on the inside of your arm definitely hurts more than on the leg I have tattoos everywhere and the inside arm was the worst."
The Independent
30-05-2025
- 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.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tracy Beaker star Dani Harmer reveals she's been diagnosed with perimenopause: ‘I felt like I was being possessed'
Tracy Beaker star Dani Harmer has revealed that she has been diagnosed with perimenopause after noticing symptoms related to her mental health. The 36-year-old actor, who rose to fame for her starring role in the CBBC TV adaptation of Jacqueline Wilson's novel The Story of Tracy Beaker, explained in a new TikTok video that she went to the doctors after experiencing brain fog, night sweats and difficulties with her mental health. In the video, Harmer pulled back some of her hair to reveal that her curly hair, which had become known as Tracy Beaker's signature locks, was thinning out as a result of the condition. 'I am losing it – it is thinning so badly you can see, like, the bald patches coming in, but just, like, the texture. It's thinning – it's bad, right?' she said. She added that the hair loss was 'getting me down' and that she was considering going to a salon to have curly hair extensions installed. Speaking about obtaining her diagnosis, Harmer revealed that it was her husband, Simon Brough, who encouraged her to get a diagnosis after her 'whole personality had pretty much changed'. 'There was just too much to ignore,' 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.' The actor is now managing her symptoms with the menopause treatment Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), which was prescribed after her doctor had run tests for different conditions, including cancer and coeliac disease. She said that the treatment has made her feel like herself again and that she had lost the weight that she had gained during lockdown, but her periods were 'all over the place'. Perimenopause is when a person has the symptoms of menopause but the periods have not stopped. The condition becomes menopause when a person fails to have a period for 12 months. Menopause is when periods stop due to lower hormone levels, which typically affects women between the ages of 45 and 55, but it can happen earlier. Menopause and perimenopause can cause symptoms like anxiety, mood swings, brain fog, hot flushes and irregular periods. These symptoms can start years before your periods stop and carry on afterwards. Harmer encouraged her fans who have had similar symptoms to seek medical advice and 'do not suffer', adding: 'Some of the symptoms are horrendous and you can spiral so quickly. I was really glad I went and got help.' The actor and her partner welcomed their first child, Avarie-Belle, in 2016. They had a second baby, Rowan, in 2022. Harmer appeared in The Story of Tracy Beaker from 2002 to 2005, before appearing in spin-offsTracy Beaker Returns (2009) and TheDumping Ground (2013).
Metro
26-05-2025
- Health
- Metro
Former CBBC child star reveals she's been diagnosed with perimenopause at 36
A former CBBC child star who became famous for one of the most iconic roles of the 00s has revealed her perimenopause diagnosis at age 36. Dani Harmer rose to fame playing Tracy Beaker on award-winning kids' show The Story of Tracy Beaker, which ran between 2002 and 2005. Based on the book of the same name by Dame Jacqueline Wilson, The Story of Tracy Beaker followed the lives of a group of kids living at a children's home they dubbed 'the Dumping Ground'. Across its five series, the show was nominated for five children's Baftas and became one of the most-watched and best-remembered CBBC shows of the era. Now, 20 years on from her TV fame, Dani has revealed she has been diagnosed with perimenopause after noticing hair-related symptoms. She posted a video on TikTok in which she asked for advice: 'I have been diagnosed with perimenopause. And what I need your help with is my hair.' In the video, Dani pulled back some of her hair to reveal that her famous curly locks, which became Tracy Beaker's signature style, were thinning out. Dani continued: 'I am losing it – it is thinning so badly you can see, like, the bald patches coming in, but just, like, the texture. It's thinning – it's bad, right?' '[Extensions] could be a terrible idea. They might make my hair even worse, to be honest, but it's really getting me down now,' she admitted to her followers. Talking about her diagnosis, Dani revealed that it was her husband, Simon, who encouraged her to get a diagnosis after her 'whole personality had pretty much changed'. She also revealed that she had been struggling with episodes of depression and anxiety, as well as night sweats, sleep interruptions, and brain fog. 'There was just too much to ignore,' she added. 'I felt like I was being possessed by someone else; it was horrible – I was just getting deeper and deeper into a dark depression.' Dani then said she is now managing her symptoms with HRT, which her doctors were more than happy to provide her with following a crucial appointment. Away from the cameras, Dani shares two children with Simon – son Leon, who was born in 2022, and daughter Averie-Belle, who was born in 2017. So loved was the Tracy Beaker series that it was rebooted in 2010 under the name Tracy Beaker Returns, which saw Tracy become an assistant care worker at the Dumping Ground. Dani then starred in The Tracy Beaker Survival Files from 2011 to 2012, My Mum Tracy Beaker in 2021, and The Beaker Girls between 2021 and 2023. More Trending A spin-off series titled The Dumping Ground began in 2013, featuring different characters, and has subsequently run for 13 more series to great success. Dani appeared on the series as a guest star in 2018 and reprised her role once more earlier this year, even directing an episode of the spin-off programme. She said of her experience: 'I loved being behind the scenes for an episode – it was very different being sat in the director's chair, but I enjoyed every single second of it – it felt like that was where I was meant to be!' View More » Watch episodes of The Story of Tracy Beaker on BBC iPlayer. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: BBC fans urge people to watch crime series 'that's like Gavin and Stacey' MORE: Psychological thriller labelled a 'masterpiece' coming to BBC iPlayer MORE: BBC quietly adds Australian drama that left fans 'crying their eyes out'
