Dani Harmer
Dani Harmer on how she copes with online abuse, returning as Tracy Beaker and which reality show she’d love to tackle next
Actress Dani Harmer is best known for her role as Tracy Beaker, the iconic titular character in the shows based on the hit books by Jacqueline Wilson.
And it was a real treat for fans that the franchise was revived this year for My Mum Tracy Beaker, which became CBBC’S most-watched show of all time.
“I’m still pinching myself now,” Dani tells me of its success.
Off-screen, the 32-year-old is mum to daughter Avariebelle, four, who she shares with partner Simon Brough.
And when I natter away with Dan, it becomes clear she hasn’t been a lover of homeschooling over the past year of lockdowns.
“I think I’ve still got PTSD from it,” she laughs. “There’s a reason
I’m an actor and not a teacher, I’ll tell you that.”
Here, Dani opens up about reprising her role as the beloved character nine years after the show finished, what she made of her Strictly experience and the horrific trolling she’s had...
Hi, Dan! The return of Tracy Beaker broke the internet!
I know. I really wasn’t sure what the reaction was going to be. I thought people were either going to be really excited or be like, “Oh God, not her again. I thought we’d got rid of her.” So, it was really nice that it was such a lovely and positive reaction. My phone went bananas.
You’ve grown up playing the role of Tracy. Did you ever wonder what she was up to once the original series ended or were you a bit Tracyed-out?
When I was a teenager I was definitely Tracyed-out at one point and thought, “Oh, I just want to be Dani again.” But when the series ended I was like everyone else. I was a big fan of the books and the programme and I was curious to see where Tracy’s life was going to take her. So the minute Jacqueline brought out the new book I was waiting by the phone for the BBC to call me and tell me it was making a new series, which it did. Then I read the script and it was just so brilliant and it was exactly where I wanted Tracy to be in life. I knew she would make the best mum, so it was really nice that they showed her in such a positive light.
Do you think it’s something you’d like to go back to again? Could we potentially see Tracy the nan?
[Laughs] At one point I was like, “I really don’t want to play
Tracy forever.” That sounded awful to me as a teenager. But now, as an adult, I realise how lucky I am. As an actor you very rarely get to play a part for such a long period of time. It’s so nice for me to play this awesome character and see her grow up and play her at different stages of life. I would love to keep playing Tracy, because she means so much to me! I can definitely see me playing her as a grandma in the future.
Amazing! You took part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2012. How does it feel to just be you and not a character?
Horrendous. I love playing other characters but the minute I have to be myself I get really nervous. Strictly for me was so far out of my comfort zone. Not only are you dealing with being in front of the cameras and being yourself, you’re adding the public vote on top of that, which feels a bit personal if they don’t vote for you. And on top of that, you’re learning how to bloody dance. But I just loved every single second of it.
You got bodyshamed on social media and trolled. Did the trolling start around the time you were on Strictly?
Yeah. With kids’ TV, people tend to leave you alone a bit, which has been nice. And when I started [as Tracy Beaker], social media wasn’t even a thing. So Strictly was the time when I saw my social media following go huge. I was naive and I made the stupid mistake of searching my name to see what people were saying about my dances. It didn’t even cross my mind anyone would be commenting on my body. At that point I was a size 6 and the healthiest I’ve ever been. I just saw hundreds of messages saying how fat I am, how annoying I am and that I should just go and die, because that would make the world a better place. I’m like, “Oh, my goodness, I can’t believe people hate me this much that they’ve taken time out of their day to put it on the internet.” I learned a lesson that day to never search your name. Strictly opened my eyes to what everyone else has been going through.
I’ve found trolling has got worse through lockdown, has it for you?
Yes, definitely. Mine comes in waves. The more I stick up for people and talk about online abuse and trolling, the more I get it back, which is so bizarre. The last few months since My Mum Tracy Beaker came out, it’s got a lot worse, to the point where I don’t think I’ve been on Twitter for a few weeks now. I’ll send a message saying, “Isn’t the weather nice? Hope everyone has a lovely day.” And I get these silly morons who’ve got multiple accounts and fill up your timeline with hatred. It does make me think, “This poor person, this person needs help.” I saw someone said on social media, “Always respond to trolls with the number of the Samaritans.” As a mother, I hate the fact I’m going to have to have a conversation with my child about social media and loving your body and not listening to these silly people. I feel like that’s not even a conversation I should have with anyone, let alone my daughter. It feels like nothing’s ever going to change, but it needs to!
Agreed. I think there has to be a connection between the rise of mental health problems and social media...
Definitely. The majority of the time when I feel really down and blue it’s because I’ve been scrolling through Twitter and reading horrible things about myself. It’s going to affect you.
Bless you. I’ve read you’d be willing to give I’m A Celeb a go. Would you be up for it?
Yeah, I would. I don’t know why, as I’m petrified of everything. I’d be rubbish – I hate insects and camping! But I’d love to show my daughter you can tackle anything and overcome anything. So, who knows?
What’s the dream role, Dan?
I’m so greedy, I would love to play every character under the sun. I’d love to go into a period drama and spread my wings. I just want to keep doing what
I’m doing and, you never know, there might be another series of Tracy Beaker around the corner.
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