Dani Harmer: Perimenopause, Baby Loss Rumors & Career

Few childhood memories are as vivid as Tracy Beaker, the fiery girl in the red hat. Dani Harmer brought her to life, but the actress now 36 is navigating a very different chapter — one that includes a private health battle she decided to share with the world. Here’s what she’s revealed about perimenopause and where her career has taken her since the CBBC days.

Age: 36 (as of 2023) ·
Known for: Portraying Tracy Beaker ·
Health condition: Perimenopause diagnosis ·
Children: Aie-Belle (b.2016) and Rowan (b.2022) ·
Latest project: Dani Harmer Academy

Seven key facts paint a clear picture of where Dani Harmer stands today.

Does Dani Harmer have children?

Yes – she and her husband Simon have two children together. Daughter Aie-Belle was born in 2016, and son Rowan arrived in 2022, according to The Independent (UK news outlet).

What this means: Her family life remains anchored away from the limelight.

Did Dani Harmer lose a baby?

Some online discussions reference a baby loss involving a daughter named Bonnie, but no verified reporting from mainstream UK media sources supports that claim. The Independent and other outlets report only her two living children. Until a credible source confirms the story, it remains unsubstantiated.

What illness does Dani Harmer have?

Harmer publicly revealed in a TikTok video shared in early 2025 that she has been diagnosed with perimenopause. The Standard defines perimenopause as “the stage when menopause symptoms are present but periods have not stopped,” and notes it usually begins in a woman’s 40s but can start in the mid-30s.

• Brain fog, night sweats, thinning hair – all reported by Harmer (The Independent)
• She began hormone replacement therapy (HRT) after tests ruled out cancer and coeliac disease (The Independent)
• She says HRT helped her “regain her sense of self” (The Independent)
• She has been on HRT for around 18 months (The Sun)

What is perimenopause?

Perimenopause is the transitional stage before menopause when oestrogen levels fluctuate. The NHS (NHS (UK national health service)) lists symptoms including anxiety, mood swings, brain fog, hot flushes, night sweats, and irregular periods. Harmer’s husband Simon first noticed her personality had changed, prompting her to seek help (The Sun).

The implication: Harmer’s willingness to speak openly at age 36 normalises a condition often considered taboo for younger women.

What does Dani Harmer do now?

Harmer is still firmly in the entertainment industry, but on her own terms. She continues acting and directing, and runs the Dani Harmer Academy, a performing arts school. She also appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2022, one of the BBC’s biggest shows.

Is Dani Harmer still acting?

• She directs episodes of The Dumping Ground, the CBBC series spun off from Tracy Beaker.
• She has not taken a lead acting role recently but remains active behind the camera.

What is the Dani Harmer Academy?

The Academy offers drama, dance, and singing classes for children and young people. It’s a full-circle move for an actress who started her own career young. No official website or enrolment numbers are publicly available, but her social media frequently features student showcases.

Why this matters: Harmer has built a durable career that leverages her childhood fame without being trapped by it – a rare balance in the industry.

What happened to Dan and Dani’s baby in real life?

This question surfaces repeatedly online, but no credible UK media has reported a baby loss involving Dani Harmer. The Independent’s coverage of her family mentions only Aie-Belle and Rowan. Given the lack of verification, readers should treat any claims of a baby named Bonnie as unconfirmed.

What was the baby’s name?

No verified source provides a name. Online forums and some social media posts reference “Bonnie,” but the story has not been corroborated by any tier-1 or tier-2 outlet.

How did Dani Harmer cope with the loss?

Because the event itself is not confirmed, no reliable details about coping exist. What is clear: Harmer speaks openly about her family – she posted about her daughter Aie-Belle’s birthday in 2023, for instance – so any loss would likely be addressed directly if it occurred.

The trade-off: public curiosity about a sensitive personal topic collides with the reality that not every rumour carries a news story behind it.

Where does Dani Harmer live now?

Harmer resides in the United Kingdom, likely in the South East. She has not shared an exact location publicly, a common privacy choice for former child stars. Her social media shows suburban settings and occasional London trips.

Does Dani Harmer live in London?

Possibly, but not confirmed. The Independent describes her as an “English actress,” and her work with the BBC and CBBC suggests proximity to London. However, she has not disclosed her address or neighbourhood.

The catch: Privacy is a deliberate choice to shield her children from public scrutiny.

“I was tested for cancer, coeliac disease – everything. It was horrible.”

– Dani Harmer, speaking about her perimenopause diagnosis (The Sun)

Harmer’s husband Simon noticed her personality had changed, according to The Sun.

For any woman experiencing unexplained mood changes or physical symptoms in her mid-30s, the lesson is direct: push for tests, consider perimenopause, and find a doctor who listens. Harmer’s story shows that even celebrities face diagnostic dead ends – and that speaking up can cut through them.

For those experiencing similar changes, a detailed guide to the 34 symptoms of perimenopause can help identify what to expect during this transition.

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