‘I was naive about trolls until Strictly'

Dani Harmer on how she copes with online abuse, returning as Tracy Beaker and which reality show she’d love to tackle next

- BOBBY NORRIS

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?