What cast of The Story of Tracy Beaker looks like 20 years on from show
The Story of Tracy Beaker was one of the most popular children's TV shows for Brits growing up in the early to mid-noughties.
Airing on most days, on the BBC's flagship children's channel CBBC, most of us would come home from primary school and tune in to catch up on the latest drama at Stowey House (AKA 'the Dumping Ground') before we waved goodbye in December 2005.
Over two decades on from the series finale, the kids of the Dumping Ground are now all grown up, pursuing careers both inside and outside of the entertainment industry.
Here is everything you need to know about what happened to the cast which brought Jacqueline Wilson's most successful novel to life.
Dani Harmer - Tracy Beaker
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Kicking off the list with Miss Tracy Beaker herself, actor Dani Harmer was the face of the franchise for its entire five-season run between 2002 and 2006.
Tracy Beaker has remained an important part of Harmer’s life in the years since, with the 37-year-old reprising the role for various spin-offs and reboots, including My Mum Tracy Beaker and The Beaker Girls.
She also stepped behind the camera as a director for The Dumping Ground, which airs on BBC iPlayer and maintains a close friendship with Jacqueline Wilson, with the pair recently collaborating for the release of Wilson’s latest book, Picture Imperfect.
Outside of the world of Tracy Beaker, Harmer has appeared as a guest judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race, runs the Dani Harmer Performing Arts Academy and posts regularly on social media.
Harmer also had an uncredited cameo in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, confirming her role to a fan on X.
She is also a mother of two, sharing a daughter, Avarie-Belle, and a son, Rowan, with partner Simon Brough.
Montanna Thompson - Justine Littlewood
Like her on-screen nemesis, Montanna Thompson’s career has also been shaped by her portrayal of Justine Littlewood. The actor has played the character numerous times since 2006, most recently in The Beaker Girls.
Outside of hanging around the Dumping Ground, Thompson still appears to be working as an actor, listing TV actress in her social media bios. She has appeared in Dates, The Trials of Jimmy Rose and Kill or be Killed, with her most recent non-Tracy Beaker-related role coming in 2017.
After a few years of being pretty much absent from the public eye, Thompson now posts regularly on Instagram and TikTok. Like Harmer, she is also a mother, regularly sharing snaps of her son online.
Craig Roberts - Rio Wellard
The second of the Wellard siblings, Craig Roberts’ Rio is best known for his bandana and iconic ‘Who’s got my Maroon 5 CD’ line.
Now 35, Roberts still works as an actor and is one of the bigger success stories from the show, with notable credits including roles in 22 Jump Street, Tolkien and the Alex Turner soundtracked Submarine.
He is currently starring in the BBC comedy series Can You Keep A Secret? Alongside Dawn French and Mandip Gill, playing the role of Debbie Fendon’s (French) son, Harry. The series was renewed for a second outing in February 2026.
Ben Hanson - Bouncer
Ben Hanson was another fixture at the Dumping Ground over the years, playing the role of Bradley ‘Bouncer’ Plakova.
While Hanson had a few roles in pantomime and worked as a CBBC presenter after the conclusion of the series, it would appear he has largely turned away from acting in recent years.
According to his Instagram profile, Hanson now works as a property expert and is planning to launch a podcast at some point in the future. He is also a personal trainer, with his social media presence dedicated to showing his incredible body transformation.
He also appears to have swapped the UK for a move stateside, living in Florida with his wife, Kelsey and their two sons.
Chelsie Padley - Louise
Chelsie George, nee Padley, is best known for playing Louise, a close friend of Tracy Beaker who would later find herself caught in the middle of her rivalry with Justine.
She has since left acting, her final role was in the children’s series Tati’s Hotel in 2011, now working as a lifestyle and fitness creator, sharing content under the handle @mamaspeachylife on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.
She married husband Iain George in 2025, with the couple sharing two children, Goldie and Dusty.
Nisha Nayar - Elaine ‘the Pain’ Boyak
As her nickname suggests, social worker Elaine ‘the Pain’ Boyak was not a popular figure around the Dumping Ground, regularly interfering in the lives and disputes of the children living there.
After waving goodbye to Elaine the Pain, Nayar has continued to work as an actor, appearing in shows such as Casualty, The Bill, Doctors and Doctor Who over the years.
Her most recent role was in the 2023 drama film Unicorns.
Nayar also works as a voice-over artist, with her profile on Soho Voices including clippings from adverts such as Direct Line, Honda and Transport for London. She’s also a regular contributor to BBC Radio 4 and the World Service.
Lisa Coleman - Cam
Struggling author Cam bonds with Tracy over their shared love for literature, later adopting her during the series finale, meaning Coleman was a regular face throughout the series.
She still works as an actor, joining Harmer and Thompson in series spin-offs as well as featuring in soaps such as EastEnders and Hollyoaks.
Her most recent acting credit came in 2025, with a guest role in Call the Midwife. Outside of acting, little is known about Coleman’s life, as her only social media profile is an inactive X account.
Clive Rowe - Duke
Clive Rowe played Norman ‘Duke’ Ellington, the Dumping Ground’s caretaker and chef for the majority of the show, proving to be one of the more likeable adults in the care home until his departure in season four.
Since waving goodbye to Duke, Rowe has appeared in Beauty and the Beast and Doctor Who, as well as having a lengthy career in theatre, winning an Olivier Award in 1997 for his role in Guys and Dolls.
Topics: Nostalgia, TV, BBC, Entertainment
Brenna Cooper