Unless you spent the majority of the Nineties and early Naughties living under a very big, very heavy rock you will have heard of Tracy Beaker.
Whether you were a fan of the books yourself, or read them to your kids, cousins, best-friend’s sister’s daughters, we’re pretty sure Jaqueline Wilson’s series following the trials and tribulations of sassy AF tween Tracy were a permanent fixture on everyone’s bookshelves.
(If not, get yourselves on Amazon quick, huns, you are missing out on pure literary genius)
The book, published in 1991, was later picked up by the BBC an turned into a children’s TV series, focussing on Tracy’s experiences at her children’s care home aka The Dumping Ground.
And now, we’ve got some bloody FABBY news as Jaqueline has revealed she’s written a sequel to the original series, catching up with Tracy in her adult life.
The new book is called My Mum Tracy Beaker, and is told from the viewpoint of Tracy’s daughter Jess.
"When I realised just how long ago it was since I wrote the first Tracy Beaker book, I thought: if we were in real time, Tracy herself would be in her 30s’, Jaqueline told The Observer.
“I’ve always thought that, even though Tracy had lots of problems in her life and a pretty rubbish mum who was never there for her, Tracy herself would be a good mum, no matter what.”
Check out what the cast of the Tracy Beaker TV series are up to:
Where are the cast of Tracy Beaker now? (slider)
1 of 16Dani Harmer as Tracy Beaker
Dani Harmer played the iconic role of Tracy Beaker in The Story of Tracy Beaker, Tracy Beaker Returns and Tracy Beaker Survival Filed from 2002 all the way up until 2012.
2 of 16Dani Harmer now
After Tracy Beaker, Dani went on to star in several other TV's as well as her own CBBC show Dani's House, which was followed by Dani's Castle in 2013. In 2012 she came 4th on Strictly Come Dancing. Dani gave birth to her daughter, Avarie-Belle Betsy Rachel Brough, in June 2016.
3 of 16Lisa Coleman as Cam Lawson
Poor Cam had a bit of a tough time constantly being told to 'bog off' by a moody Tracy. Eventually, Tracy realised Cam's heart was in the right place and Cam became Tracy's foster mum.
4 of 16Lisa Coleman now
As well as reprising her role as Cam in Tracy Beaker Survival Files, Lisa as went on to star in other shows such as Hollyoaks, Casualty and EastEnders.
5 of 16Montanna Thomson as Justine Littlewood
Montanna played Dumping Ground resident and Tracy's frenemy Justine Littlewood. She originally auditioned for the lead role of Tracy, but it was decided she was a better fit as feisty Justine.
6 of 16Montanna Thompson now
Montanna also appeared in TV shows such as Casualty, Sugar Rush, The Last Detective and Doctors. In 2017 she gave birth to a baby boy.
7 of 16Nisha Nayar as Elaine Boyak aka Elaine the Pain
Social worker Elaine got a lot of stick from Tracy and the rest of the kids at the dumping ground, but let's be honest she was bit of a pain, wasn't she?
8 of 16Nisha Nayar now
Following her role as Elaine the Pain (she'll never shake that name, tbh), Nisha appeared in episodes of Doctor Who, The Bill and Doctors.
9 of 16Clive Rowe as Duke Ellington
Duke was a care-worker at the Dumping Ground and responsible for cooking up a storm for the kids. He had a somewhat strained working relationship with Elaine the Pain.
10 of 16Clive Rowe now
Clive has also starred in episodes of Doctor Who and even landed a small role in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. He's appeared in several West End theatre productions and is a regular on the pantomime circuit.
11 of 16Darragh Mortell as Crash
Tracy and Liam aka Crash didn't get off to the best of starts in The Story of Tracy Beaker but later became one of her best friends in the Dumping Ground.
12 of 16Darragh Mortell now
Darragh joined Dani Harmer in her CBBC show Dani's House. He also stared in Casualty and Hollyoaks. As well as acting, Darragh is a 'TV writer and visual story teller' according to his Twitter bio.
13 of 16Craig Roberts as Rio Wellard
14 of 16Craig Roberts
From The Dumping Ground to Hollywood, Craig has gone on to star in a number of films including Submarine in 2010, as well as 22 Jump Street and the film version of John Niven's Kill Your Friends.
15 of 16Rochelle Gadd as Adele Azupadi
Adele was the It girl of the Dumping Ground and oldest member of the squad. She appeared on the show for series one and two.
16 of 16Rochelle Gadd now
Rochelle played Olivia Johnson in Hollyoaks
Jaqueline also revealed Jess is very different to her ‘mouthy’ mother as a teenager, explaining she is much quieter and ‘more timid’.
In the sequel Tracy is set to be in and out of work and living as a single mother in a council house in London, but Jaqueline confirmed she will be getting her ‘happy ending.’
“I’m dealing with adults leading adult lives, and I want to be truthful to all that,” she explained to the paper.
“But she is my lucky character … and I have a soft spot for her too.
“She’s going to get her happy ending.”
Illustrator Nick Sharratt, who’s illustrations have been used for all of Jaqueline’s books, will also be working with the author for the new book.
My Mum Tracy Beaker is due to be released in October 2018.