Danielle Jane Harmer (born 8 February 1989) is an English actress, television personality, and former singer. She is best known for her lead role as Tracy Beaker in the CBBC series The Story of Tracy Beaker (2002–2006), Tracy Beaker Returns (2010–2012), for which she was nominated for a BAFTA in 2010, The Tracy Beaker Survival Files (2011–2012), My Mum Tracy Beaker (2021) and The Beaker Girls (2021–2023). Harmer played the role of Molly Louise Venables in the BBC One comedy series After You've Gone (2007), and starred in her own CBBC sitcom Dani's House (2008–2012) and its spin-off Dani's Castle (2013–2014). In 2008, Harmer branched into the music industry and signed a £3m record deal with Universal Group. She recorded her debut studio album, Superheroes, in September 2009, and released the single and theme from Dani's House, "Free", but the album was never released and it was later confirmed she had abandoned her music career indefinitely. In 2012, Harmer competed in the fourth series of Let's Dance for Sport Relief alongside Tyger Drew-Honey, in which they both finished as joint runners-up. Later that year, she competed in the tenth series of Strictly Come Dancing, partnered with Vincent Simone, reaching the final and finishing in fourth place. Early life Danielle Jane Harmer was born and raised in her hometown Bracknell, Berkshire, to parents Jill, a former legal worker and children's casting agent, and Andy Harmer, a mechanic and chauffeur. Her parents are now divorced. She has a younger sister named Betsy, who works as a hairdresser. From the age of five, Harmer attended Stagecoach drama lessons. Harmer won a scholarship to attend Redroofs Theatre School at the age of seven, and left with three GCSEs. Harmer's educational achievements beyond GCSEs are unknown. Career Harmer made her stage debut at the age of six in the musical The Who's Tommy in the West End. She has appeared in a number of pantomimes: Dolly Mixture in Snow White (2004), the title character in Peter Pan (2005, Alban Arena, 2006 in Worthing and 2010 in High Wycombe), Dick Whittington (2007, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre) and the title role in Cinderella alongside Joe Tracini (2011, York Barbican). She appeared as an extra in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Her big break arrived when she landed the title role in CBBC's dramedy series The Story of Tracy Beaker, in which she starred for five series, and