Archive May 12, 2025

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.

READ MORE: CBBC legend joins TikTok and people think she still looks like iconic character

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.

Kelsey Parker lifts the lid on her pregnancy so far, the emotional football match last weekend in late husband Tom Parker’s honour and she and new partner Will keeping his memory alive

With two children and a new baby on the way, Kelsey Parker has her hands full. But as we sit down for an exclusive chat, she appears at ease, laughing as she runs us through her hectic week and future plans ahead of giving birth this summer. Kelsey is already mum to daughter Aurelia and son Bodhi, who she welcomed with her late husband Tom Parker. Tom, a singer in boyband The Wanted, passed away in 2022 after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.

Now, Kelsey is expecting her first child with new partner Will Lindsay, who she began dating last year. Alongside preparing for the new arrival and getting into the swing of parenthood with Will, Kelsey is continuing her extensive charity work in late husband Tom’s name, including hosting a successful charity football match last weekend, sponsored by Grove Gallery, in his memory. Here, the 34-year-old opens up exclusively to OK! about her relationship with tree surgeon Will, her pregnancy and keeping Tom’s memory alive.

READ MORE: Amazon’s tech sale rivals Very and Argos with Apple Watch Series 10 deal that saves shoppers £100

Hi Kelsey. How is your pregnancy going so far?

It’s been smooth so far. I’m due at the end of June. I’m trying to enjoy this pregnancy more, because I think when you’ve been through something like I’ve been through, you realise how precious life is. I know that sounds clichéd, but it’s true. I just want to enjoy every moment of it with Will. When I fell pregnant with Aurelia, I thought I had my life set. I had the perfect life – I’d been with Tom since the age of 19 and had everything sorted. Then my world got flipped upside down and I think that teaches you how precious life is.

Do you feel prepared to give birth?

No! But Will’s the most chilled-out person and doesn’t overthink anything. I said to him last night, “Do you think we should actually get some baby stuff?” Because we’ve got nothing. But then I also know, this being my third time around, that I don’t need loads of stuff. I’ve kept nothing from the others, which doesn’t help. But you’ve just got to go with the flow.

How’s Will feeling – is he nervous about becoming a dad?

I don’t think you know with Will whether he’s nervous or not. I keep trying to have the conversation with him and he’s just chilled. I keep saying, “What do you think it is, a boy or a girl?” and he just goes, “Kelsey, it will be one or the other.” So he gives nothing away. It works really well for us though, because we’re both so relaxed. I think everyone around us is more stressed!

Are the kids looking forward to a new baby in the house?

They’re so excited. Dolly, my dog, has become the baby – Aurelia is carrying her around everywhere, saying she’s practising. I think she thinks she’s going to be carrying the baby all the time! Bodhi is excited to be a big brother, too, because he’s always been the youngest. I think they’ll both be quite protective with the baby.

Bodhi’s such a soft soul and Aurelia is already being mumsy. I’d say my only nerves are about the baby fitting into family life. They’re going to need to be ready to come on the school run early in the morning. One of the other mums at Aurelia’s school was back at swimming lessons a week after giving birth. I feel like that’s going to be me.

What is the kids’ relationship with Will like?

They are so close with Will. He went away for the weekend recently and they rang him every day and were like, “When are you coming back?” I think it’s because they’ve lost someone, too, as other children probably wouldn’t be like that with anew father figure in their life.

Something that’s been making me emotional is that the baby’s going to call Will “dad” one day and I think that’s going to be hard for them to navigate. They don’t call Will “dad” but I don’t know how that’s going to change when the baby’s here. It might be strange for them. I have spoken to them about it and they kind of understand, but talking about it and it happening are very different things.

How was the charity football match for Tom last week?

It’s our third year now, which is crazy. I can’t believe it’s been three years since we lost him. It’s a reminder that it’s been that long. I’m the biggest control freak, but it’s something I’m passionate about. I always want the day to be perfect for him. It’s days like the football match when the realisation that he’s not here hits, so it’s emotional. Then you think of other families affected by brain tumours and how underfunded brain tumour research is. Tom touched so many people’s hearts – that’s why people come to support us.

What did the kids think of the match?

They were so excited. Bodhi came on the pitch before the match started, with his little football team, and then Aurelia performed with my performing arts school during half time. They’re getting older each year, so they understand it more. Will brought his whole family along and some friends, too.

Mysterious Girl singer Peter Andre has shared his anxiety when he travels Down Under to see his ailing mum, Thea, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s

Peter Andre has admitted he is “anxious” about going to see his mum in Australia. The pop star, 52, headed Down Under for work and revealed he regularly visited his ailing mother, who has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

However, he said doing so left him feeling anxious as he was leaving his family at home. The Mysterious Girl singer shares teenagers Junior and Princess with ex-wife and former glamour model Katie Price, while he has Amelia, Theo and Arabella with his current wife Emily MacDonagh.

He admitted travelling to Australia is always bittersweet and said it’s hard having his close family separated by so much distance.

Speaking to OK! after his latest trip to Oz, Peter said: “It’s always so hard leaving the children when I travel. I get quite anxious before I leave.

“But I also feel anxious because I’m going to see my mum for a very limited amount of time in Australia. I’ve seen Mum and Dad everyday in between work, so it’s bittersweet.”

He added: “I’m so happy to see them, but also happy that I’ll get to go back and be with the children.”

In January, Peter said he and his brother had headed to Australia to spend quality time with his parents Thea and Savvas. In 2023, he revealed that his 88-year-old mother, Thea, had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

Thea lives in Australia with Peter’s father, Savvas, as she faces her declining health. Last year, Peter celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary and paid tribute to them, at the time acknowledging how “really tough it is to see your parents age or become ill.”

Speaking to OK! in his column, at the time, he said: “Being with my mum and dad in Australia was incredible, but understandably also very emotional. I went with my brother, Michael, and we got to spend quality time with my sister as well.

“The hardest bit for me is leaving them. Both Mum and Dad are on the decline, unfortunately, especially my mum.”

He added: “Every moment was incredible. Thank you to everyone for all the lovely messages I received when I was there. Even though I know it’s part of life, I can assure you it doesn’t make it any easier to deal with.”

Peter recently divided fans as he showed off his family’s trip to SeaWorld in Abu Dhabi. Peter took to social media to share an array of sweet snaps from the recent family holiday with his entire clan.

But some fans weren’t happy with his choice of locations and let him know in the comments section of his post. He initially wrote: “We had the best time at @yasisland exploring all the parks. So special to have the whole family together, there truly is something for everyone. We’ll definitely be back!”

One user pleaded: “Looks like an amazing trip but can we all agree SeaWorld is hell for animals and not go there? Thank you please. Especially our favourite celebrities with huge followings.”

It Ends With Us star Justin Baldoni shared an emotional Mother’s Day tribute on Instagram after last sharing a post in December

Justin Baldoni returned to social media after five months of silence to share an emotional tribute to his wife and his mother on Mother’s Day amid his ongoing legal battle with Blake Lively. Following the release of It Ends With Us, Gossip Girl star Blake launched a sexual harassment lawsuit against Justin – who has strongly refuted the claims.

He hit back with a $400 million defamation claim against her, her publicist, and husband Ryan Reynolds, all of whom have dismissed the accusations. Additionally, Justin has launched a $250 million libel case against the New York Times over their coverage of Blake’s allegations.

READ MORE: What to shop this weekend: Coastal-themed buys from £13, including new Lake Como-inspired EDP

Most recently, Blake’s friend Taylor Swift was dragged into the drama as Justin’s legal team subpoenaed her. Taylor was delivered a legal notice on Friday by Justin’s lawyer Bryan Freedman – a move which has been slammed by her team as a tactic to create clickbait.

Amid the legal drama, Justin has avoided social media and hadn’t posted on his Instagram page since 10 December where he shared a promotional post for It Ends With Us.

In a new photo, Justin was see surrounded by his loved ones as he shared an emotional Mother’s Day post. He leaned his face towards his mother’s forehead while holding onto one child with one hand.

He held his wife Emily and daughter’s hands with his other as she leaned on his shoulder. Justin captioned the tribute: “My mom gave us faith. My wife is the definition of it.

“Our children are growing up in the fortress of that love. Happy Mother’s Day to all.” The post has gained almost 300,000 likes since it was posted.

His fans and friends rushed to the comment section to share their support for him, with Whitney Cummings writing: “Your wife was my mom on the set of Grizzy Park lol.”

Andy Grammar posted: “Love everyone in that photo with all my heart,” while Justin Anderson posted: “Good men are raised by good women.”

Meanwhile, Blake’s team recently responded to Taylor getting subpoenaed. Blake’s representative issued a statement directed at Justin and his Wayfarer Studios partner Steve Sarowitz.

She claimed their team continues “to turn a case of sexual harassment and retaliation into entertainment for the tabloids,” according to People.

The statement added: “Going as far as suggesting that they sell tickets to a concert venue – Madison Square Garden – to witness Ms. Lively’s deposition, to subpoenaing Taylor Swift, a woman who has given a voice to millions all over the world.”

They added: “This is a very serious legal matter, not Barnum & Bailey’s Circus.”

Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.

READ MORE: Amazon’s ‘dust-gobbler’ robot vacuum plunges to less than £100 in flash deal