Children’s TV legend Dani Harmer (aka Tracy Beaker) has announced the exciting news that she’s given birth to her second child with husband Simon Brough.
Dani revealed that they had welcomed a baby boy named Rowan Leon James Brough last week as she shared an adorable snap of the newborn and wrote, “Rowan Leon James Brough. 7.2.22 10:49am 8lbs 3oz.”
Celeb pals of the former child star, who is already mum to five-year-old daughter Avarie-Belle, rushed to the comments section to share their congratulations including Emmerdale’s Lisa Riley, who wrote, “Congratulations beautiful! So so happy for you all, sending the biggest of snuggles and cuddles."
Skins actor April Pearson commented, “Waaaahooo!! Congratulations lovely, what a smasher,” while RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star Charity Kase added, “So cute!"
In August 2021, Dani reprised her frankly iconique role as Tracy in CBBC's My Mum Tracy Beaker, which followed the life of the Dumping Ground legend - who is now all grown up - and her young daughter Jess. Follow-up series The Beaker Girls, which followed the story and characters introduced in My Mum Tracy Beaker was released in December 2021.
Tracy's return to the small screen got us wondering – what are all the OG show’s stars up to these days?
Well, before catching up on the latest in Tracy Beakers’s life, we thought we'd track down the cast of the CBBC adaptation, and check out what they've been up to since leaving the Dumping Ground.
CHECK OUT where are the Tracy Beaker cast now?
heat - Tracy Beaker where are they now?
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 The Tracy Beaker Survival Files 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 shows 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. In August 2021 Dani and her partner Simon Brough announced that she is pregnant with their second child. In 2021 Dani reprised her role as Tracey Beaker for the series My Mum Tracey Beaker and The Beaker Girls.In February 2022, Dani announced that she had given birth to a little boy, little Rowan Leon James in an adorable Instagram post. Dani received tonnes of congratulation messages, including one from Lisa Riley, who wrote, "CONGRATULATIONS BEAUTIFUL ud83dudc9bud83dudc9bud83dudc9bso so so happy for you all…..sending the biggest of snuggles and cuddles ud83dude18ud83dude18ud83dude18."
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 has since appeared in TV shows such as Casualty, Sugar Rush, The Last Detective and Doctors. She's also had a son and most recently appeared in horror film Kill or Be Killed, quite different from her TB days.In 2021, Montanna reprised her role as Justine Littlewood for the series My Mum Tracey Beaker and The Beaker Girls.
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 small roles in Star Wars: The Last Jedi and 2017's Beauty And The Beast film starring Emma Watson.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
Rio was a bit of a bully to begin with, and fell out with Crash. But after a while, he softened and they became good friends.
14 of 16Craig Roberts now
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 and has also played small roles in other shows like Doctors and the TV show Suspicion.
Look! More news!
The new BBC series saw Tracey reunite with her Dumping Ground arch nemesis Justine Littlewood (played by Montanna Thompson). A clip of the two coming face-to-face went viral. Fans were super excited to see the reunion.
“I feel 9 again I’m so excited for My Mum Tracy Beaker to start,” wrote one.
Another added, “If you think I’ll be watching Tracy Beaker Friday night, then you are absolutely right.”
And we have to say, the reunion did not disappoint.
WATCH 'Some girls follow me to the toilet!' Tracy Beaker aka Dani Harmer Answers the Internet
Speaking about returning to the role of Tracy, Dani said, "Words can’t describe how excited I am to bring Tracy back.
"I’m just like all the fans and have been desperate to find out what Tracy has been up to and where her next journey is going to take her.
"It’s been so lovely to work with some familiar faces too. The script is brilliant and I think the audience is going to love where the story goes. Filming during 2020 has been interesting for sure, but it’s been amazing to watch all the talented cast and crew adapt and be very creative with getting the job done."