Tracy Beaker actress Dani Harmer reprises icon role as she returns to The Dumping Ground

Dani Harmer is set to make a highly anticipated return as Tracy Beaker in the 13th series of The Dumping Ground, premiering January 17, 2025. Alongside her return, Dani is also stepping into a new role behind the scenes in the upcoming season.

Dani Harmer, renowned for her portrayal of Tracy Beaker, is set to reprise her iconic role in the upcoming 13th series of The Dumping Ground, scheduled to premiere on January 17, 2025.

This marks a significant return, as Harmer first introduced the character 23 years ago. The 35-year-old said in a new interview: "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! This series of The Dumping Ground will not disappoint, we’ve got some fantastic storylines and some incredibly talented actors joining the cast."

The star is currently scheduled to appear only in the first episode. In addition to her on-screen return, Harmer will make her directorial debut by directing an episode of the series. Reflecting on her new role, she also told The Sun: "The production team do such an amazing job nurturing them and they have really supported me behind the camera too, it’s such a special production to be working on. 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!”

The Dumping Ground serves as a spin-off from the original series, The Story of Tracy Beaker, which aired from 2002 to 2006. Harmer's character has also appeared in subsequent series, including Tracy Beaker Returns and the 2021 special My Mum Tracy Beaker. Viewers saw a grown-up Tracy dealing with motherhood herself after welcoming her own daughter.

Away from playing Tracy, Dani branched into the music industry in 2008 after signing a £3million deal with Universal. She recorded debut album Superheroes a year later, but the album was never released and it was later confirmed Dani had given up on her music dream.

In 2012 she returned to the spotlight in the fourth series of Let's Dance for Sport Relief alongside fellow child star Tyger Drew Honey. The same year she signed up to the tenth series of Strictly Come Dancing where she was partnered with Argentine Tango expert Vincent Simone.

The pint-sized duo were a huge hit with viewers and the judges and made it all the way to the final, finishing up in fourth place - losing out to gymnast Louis Smith and Flavia Cacace.

The actress's life has undergone many changes since her debut on the popular CBeebies show. On June 28, 2016, Harmer became a mother to her daughter, Avarie-Belle Betsy Rachel Brough. Later, in August 2021, she and her partner Simon Brough shared the news of her pregnancy with their second child. On February 7, 2022, Harmer gave birth to their son, Rowan León James Brough. Dani and Simon have been in a relationship since 2015.

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