Tracy Beaker cast then and now – where are Tracy and Justine now ahead of the epic BBC reboot?

TRACY Beaker was the must-watch after school TV show for kids in the early Noughties, becoming a hit CBBC series. 

Originally starting out as a book, written by cult author Jacqueline Wilson, in 1991, the show followed orphan Tracy Beaker and her friends in the ‘Dumping Ground’ children’s home. 

And now Dani Harmer, who played Tracy, is set to reprise her role in new series My Mum Tracy Beaker.

It will show Tracy as a single mum to her 12-year-old daughter Jess, and Harmer has revealed she “can’t wait” to get back into the iconic role. 

“I can’t wait to return again to the role of Tracy. I’m a fan myself and want to know what happens next and where this journey takes her. Being a mother, I know how much it changes you,” she told The Celeb Report.

But from then to now, what have the cast been up to since the cameras stopped rolling? 

Tracy Harmer, played by Dani Harmer

Since leaving the show, Dani, 31, has had a brief singing career after signing a £3m record deal with Universal Music Group. 

Although she released a single called Free, it only reached 117 and the rest of her debut album was pushed back indefinitely before Dani announced she was quitting music in 2012. 

In 2016, Dani became a mum to daughter Avarie-Belle Betsy Rachel Brough with her partner Simon Brough. 

The actress has also appeared on Strictly Come Dancing, in a stage production of the Rocky Horror Show and recorded a single in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital, which peaked at no.2 in the iTunes chart. 

Justine Littlewood, played by Montanna Thompson

In the show, Justine and Tracy iconic rivalry was sparked when Justine moved into Tracy’s room while she was away.

Justine moved into the Dumping Ground following the death of her mother in order to help her father, who was struggling to cope.

Since the series wrapped, Montanna, 31, has starred in a host of other shows including The Last Detective, Sugar Rush, Doctors, Casualty, Close Relations and The Trials of Jimmy Rose.

Montanna welcomed a son in 2017 and also starred in the movie Kill or Be Killed that same year.

Louise Goven, played by Chelsie Padley

Louise was Tracy best friend but when Tracy was fostered by a couple called Ted and Julie the two drifted apart.

The two fell out when Tracy returned and Louise was now best friends with Justine Littlewood.

Louise left the series after she was fostered by the Morris family.

Chelsie Padley gave up acting after leaving the show and is now a qualified fitness instructor teaching HITT and Zumba, with her own company, Fit Peach.

The 28-year-old’s mantra is “strong is the new skinny” and she regularly shares videos, tips and photos of her ripped bod with her Instagram followers.

Mike Milligan, played by Connor Byrne

Appearing as care worker Mike from 2002 to 2019, Connor was the longest-serving member of the franchise.

His character was the head care worker at The Dumping Ground and Mike was even awarded an MBE for his services.

Away from the Tracy Beaker series, Connor, 56, has continued to act in various roles of panto and on screen.

In 2019 eagle-eyed viewers noticed him when he played Geoff in Emmerdale.

Rio Wellard, played by Craig Roberts

Rio Wellard was annoying, pesky and the bane of Tracy’s life. Along with his half-sisters Chantal and Roxy, they were the troublesome Wellard trio.

Played by actor Craig Roberts, now 29, those bandana-wearing days are behind him as the thespian has landed a series of high profile jobs in Hollywood.

Since landing his big break in 2010 with coming-of-age drama Submarine, he’s also starred in Jane Eyre, Bad Neighbours, 22 Jump Street and the music video for The Killers’ Here With Me.

Craig also played the role of David Myers in Amazon series Red Oaks between 2014 and 2017.

In 2015 made his directorial debut with Just Jim.