Dani Harmer: Tracy Beaker star ‘couldn’t think of anywhere better’ to celebrate 30 years in pantomime than home county
BAFTA award-winning Dani Harmer, best known for her role as Tracy Beaker, told the Chronicle & Echo she “couldn’t think of anywhere better” to celebrate her 30 years in pantomime than her home county.
Dani is one of the biggest stars of children’s television, having played the title role in CBBC’s The Story of Tracy Beaker, Tracy Beaker Returns, My Mum Tracy Beaker and The Beaker Girls, alongside many other screen credits.
As well as three decades of performing in pantomimes across the country, Dani’s stage appearances include playing Janet Weiss in the 40th anniversary tour of musical The Rocky Horror Show.
The star spoke to this newspaper at the Royal & Derngate’s pantomime launch on Tuesday, June 9, and said she has only had two years off from panto in 2019 and 2020 since she was seven years old.
When asked how it feels to be celebrating the momentous milestone this Christmas, Dani said: “It feels bananas. I don’t feel old enough but at the same time, I do. I’m dead excited. There’s no better way to celebrate than being in your home county.”
Dani felt passionately about being able to live at home over this year’s festive period and coupled with her love for the Royal & Derngate as a loyal visitor herself, this has resulted in her appearance in Northampton in 2026.
“I love this theatre,” she said. “I come here to watch shows all the time, it’s just got that lovely family atmosphere. My daughter performed here so she’s actually beat me to performing on this stage.”
Dani is playing Fairy Cupid in Beauty and the Beast and she said: “I’m not going to be your traditional fairy. I am going to guide you through the story. I’ll sprinkle a bit of magic but you know, it’s me, so I’m going to probably be a little bit cheeky, maybe a little bit naughty, probably a little bit feisty, definitely a little bit silly.”
The star took to social media platform TikTok in April to announce that she was performing at the Royal & Derngate this Christmas, and mentioned that she and Steve McFadden had not worked together since she was a teenager.
She was asked how it feels that they will be reunited on stage and Dani said: “It’s going to be great, I honestly have so much respect for Steve. He is so wonderful on that stage, you will not realise that you’re watching the same Steve McFadden. He is so different to the Phil Mitchell that we know and love.
“Last time we worked together he was Captain Hook and I was Peter Pan so obviously we’re going to be very, very different in this. I can’t wait, it’s going to be so fun. Last time we worked together I was a teeny tiny teenager and now I’m nearly 40. Time definitely flies when you’re having fun.”
Dani has heard “really great things” about the Royal & Derngate and she is excited to get going, especially as Beauty and the Beast is her “favourite story of all time”.
‘Northamptonshire felt like home almost immediately’
Dani has lived in Corby for the past three years and she says Northamptonshire “felt like home almost immediately” when she moved from Berkshire. She praised the friendliness, how much there is for her family to do, and the wonderful parks and greenery.
When asked the difference it makes being able to live at home while performing in a pantomime, Dani said: “It makes a huge difference. I mean the last few years we’ve had Christmas day in random, rogue Airbnbs all over the country, which has been so lovely don’t get me wrong.
“Christmas is magical no matter where you spend it, it’s about being with your family, but this year will just be extra special because we get to be at home and spend it with other family members as well. Just being able to wake up in my own bed everyday, oh my goodness. It’ll make the world of difference, I’m just beside myself with excitement.”
Talking about how performing in pantos compares to starring as Tracy Beaker, Dani said: “There is no crossover whatsoever, it is like night and day. I’m sure I will probably shout bog off at some point in the show because, let’s be honest, the audience will want it. But other than that, completely night and day.
“I have the most wonderful fans on the planet and I’ve been so lucky that they’ve followed me around the country and always support me. Hopefully I get some wonderful fans come visit me at Northampton.”
When asked to summarise what she is most looking forward to this festive season in Northampton, Dani said: “The people. Everyone that’s from Northamptonshire is just so delightful, so the fact we’re all going to be together this Christmas in my home county celebrating my 30th year in panto, I just literally couldn’t think of anywhere better to do it.”
Another benefit of performing at the Royal & Derngate is the Theatre Front of House team, who have amassed more than 160,000 followers on TikTok. Dani admits they were one of the first accounts she followed when she joined the app around a year ago.
“I think I might be their biggest fan on TikTok so I’m dead excited,” said Dani. “I’m literally obsessed, they’re going to get bored of me. I’m going to ask them to do TikToks with me constantly, all day everyday, over Christmas.”