The Story of Tracy Beaker stars now – body transformations to Hollywood stardom

2022-12-11

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Popular kids TV show, The Story of Tracy Beaker burst onto our screens in 2002, introducing CBBC viewers to the world of the occupants of Elm Tree Children's home, better known as The Dumping Ground.

The show is based on the book of the same name, written by children's author Jacqueline Wilson, who has since created sequels to her Tracy Beaker series, including My Mum Tracy Beaker and We Are The Beaker Girls.

In the CBBC show, Tracy was played by Strictly star Dani Harmer, starting out when she was just twelve years old. Dani went on to star in her own show, Dani's House, Tracy Beaker Returns and even danced her way into the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom.

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But the Daily Star wanted to find out what her co-stars were up to nowadays and if they had found similar success after their Dumping Ground days.

Chelsie Padley – Louise Goven

Tracy's former best friend, Louise ruffled fathers in the Dumping Ground with her new pal, Justine Littlewood, who was also Tracy's sworn enemy.

Louise would often attempt to form a bridge between Justine and Tracy but things never quite worked out.

Outside of the show, actress Chelsie Padley, who played Louise has left acting and is now a fully fledged gym babe.

Posting under Fit Peach Fitness on Instagram, Chelsie can be seen swapping scripts for weights as she flexes her muscular frame and gym sets in incredible locations. Offering a variety of workouts, Chelsie is now "passionate about helping people feel empowered".

Chelsie returned for a special appearance in the music video for Someday, the show's theme tune sang by Keisha White. She acted as a pizza delivery girl who drops off Tracy's pizza, only faintly remembering who she is.

Dani Harmer

Dani Harmer was the most famous face in the Tracy Beaker franchise after playing the title character throughout all the series.

While many of her original cast members went on to other things, Dani stayed in acting and even stayed in the role for far longer than anybody else.

She took part in Tracy Beaker Returns and The Dumping Ground, two spin-offs of the famous series.

Now the actress runs her own acting academy to help young people get into the performing arts.

She also appears on theatre shows, pantomimes and has her own family at home.

Deepal Parma – Chantal Wellard

Chantal was seen as the leader of the punk group, The Wellard, in The Story of Tracy Beaker. Chantal and her younger half-siblings Roxy and Rio would do mischievous yet hilarious things around the Dumping Ground, often antagonising Tracy Beaker and her fellow residents.

Since starring in the show, Deepal, who played Chantal back then, has kept somewhat in the spotlight, strutting her stuff on the red carpet at the House of the Dragon premiere and rocking a pretty patterned dress to Jordan Peele Get Out premiere.

Other than a few appearances, Deepal hasn't returned to acting since playing as Chantal, and instead works as a Media and Products Executive

Craig Roberts – Rio Wellard

Hailed as one of the "most interesting, diverse and exciting young actors working today" on his IMDB page, Craig Roberts has come a long way from playing rebel Rio Wellard in The Story of Tracy Beaker.

Grouped with his half-sisters Chantal and Roxy, the Wellards would wreak havoc on The Dumping Ground residents, playing pranks and being serious punks.

After his role in the CBBC show, he starred in another hit kids show, Young Dracula, before making an appearance in the 2013 series of Skins.

Before long, he was taking off for Hollywood, landing roles in hit movies like 22 Jump Street with Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum and Bad Neighbours alongside Seth Rogen and Zac Efron and a lead role in coming-of-age drama Submarine.

Saffron Coomber – Sapphire Fox

Saffron, who played Sapphire Fox, starred in The Story of Tracy Beaker spin-off show Tracy Beaker Returns. Sapphire was an edgy older resident, who Tracy often went to for advice and the pair got on quite well.

Saffron, who featured in the spin-off for three seasons, went on to take her acting to the stage, acting in various shows including Old Bridge, which has since been nominated for a Best Off-West End Production.

Saffron has also explored her writing talents, pulling together a poetry book called Breathe Into The Bones, which she debuted on her Instagram page.

Ben Hanson – Bouncer Plakova

Ben played the loveable Bradley 'Bouncer' Plakova in The Story of Tracy Beaker. Bouncer was the brother of Lol and the pair would often join Tracy on her everyday adventures.

Ben starred as Bouncer in the regular show and in the spin-off movie, Tracy Beaker: Movie of Me. After that, he went on to star in the odd episode of Casualty, as a 'rough estate boy' called Tony.

Before his claim to fame in Tracy Beaker, Ben can be seen in a Stateside Hallmark movie called The Echo of Thunder.

Now, aged 37, Ben looks unrecognisable, having lost weight due to his newfound love of the gym and becoming a qualified personal trainer.

He's also found love in his partner Lily and regularly gushes over her via his Instagram.

Ciaran Joyce – Lol Plakova

Starring in the show as Bouncer's younger brother Laurence 'Lol' Plakova, Ciaran joined the cast of Tracy Beaker when he was 14.

After the show, he followed his co-star Craig into another CBBC show, Young Dracula, acting as Boris for a year on the show before heading to mainstream TV.

He took up a role as Alex Ellis in Holby City and in 2019, joined Carrie Hope Fletcher and comedian Matt Lucas in the live stage recording of the 1980 classic, Les Misérables.

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