Dani Harmer, the actress best known for playing Tracy Beaker, has issued a heartfelt plea for the beloved character to return to screens with a major twist. Speaking exclusively to the Daily Express, Harmer said she would bring Tracy back every week if she could, and urged author Jacqueline Wilson to write a new book in the series.
Rise to Stardom with Tracy Beaker
Harmer first shot to fame at the age of 10 when she landed the role of Tracy Beaker in CBBC's adaptation of Jacqueline Wilson's novel. The series, which began in 2002, followed the life of a troubled foster child navigating life in a children's home she called the Dumping Ground. The show became one of CBBC's biggest hits, drawing hundreds of thousands of viewers per episode and earning critical acclaim for its groundbreaking portrayal of foster care.
The franchise saw a resurgence in 2021 with the spin-off My Mum Tracy Beaker, which set a record for the biggest programme launch in CBBC history. It generated 2.1 million streams on BBC iPlayer in its first three days and reached an average TV audience of almost 900,000.
Harmer's Plea for a Comeback
Reflecting on the character's enduring popularity, Harmer said: "Oh my goodness, I always love bringing Tracy back. I'll bring her back every week if I could. I just love that character so much." She added that bringing Tracy back as a mother in the 2021 spin-off was "awesome" and that she is "super excited about what's to come in the future for her."
In a direct appeal to the author, Harmer said: "Jacqueline Wilson, if you're reading this, I hope you're thinking of writing a new book." The actress expressed her desire to see Tracy's journey continue, noting that fans wanted to see Tracy have the family she always deserved.
Motherhood and Mealtime Struggles
In the same interview, Harmer opened up about her own experiences as a mother to daughter Avarie-Bell, 10, and son Rowan, four. She collaborated with Bernard Matthews' Play with your Food campaign, which aims to reduce mealtime stress by encouraging children to get creative with their food.
Harmer revealed that 71% of parents find evening meal times the most stressful part of the day, a statistic she wholeheartedly agrees with. She shared her own struggles, saying: "I have two kids, my eldest will just eat everything that's given, like a good little girl, and then my boy is just feral. I love him with my whole heart... unless it's plain pasta with cheese, he refuses to eat it."
Her solution involves making food fun, such as turning mashed potatoes into a volcano and adding broccoli trees. She joked: "I'm very good at making chicken dinosaurs, I'm awesome with an air fryer."
Campaign for Positive Mealtime Experiences
The Fantasy Feast created for the campaign included thousands of vegetables and the Bernard Matthews chicken range. Harmer hopes that by encouraging play, parents can reduce stress and create positive family mealtime experiences.
