Tracy Beaker star unrecognisable 19 years after the show – and quitting fame to work for Odeon cinemas
A TRACY Beaker star looks completely unrecognisable almost two decades after quitting the hit series for a normal job.
The CBBC actress, now 36, has switched up her on-screen role – yet still works in the TV and film industry and gets invites to swanky movie premieres.
The Tracy Beaker TV series on Jacqueline Wilson’s 1991 cult book series, the BBC hit followed orphan Tracy and her pals in the ‘Dumping Ground’ children’s home.
Deepal Parmar is known to fans of the long-running show for playing Chantal Wellard, a former resident of Cliffside.
She was the older half-sister of Roxy and Rio and could often be seen on-screen sporting a ponytail with a purple streak.
The feisty character also stomped around the Dumping Ground in chunky black boots and dark outfits.
An emotional episode saw Chantal – the only Wellard sibling to have any kind of relationship with her dad – leave the centre to go and live with him permanently.
Deepal starred in 26 episodes of the series, from 2005 to 2006.
She went on to bag further roles on-screen, including in Doctors, Casualty and Devils.
Her most recent role was in 2024 short film, The Visit.
Yet Deepal also juggles her occasional film and TV roles with a job at Odeon Cinemas.
According to her LinkedIn page, the London-based star is the Sales Manager at Odeon Cinemas Group, and has been in the role for almost three years.
ALL CHANGE
Meanwhile, the rest of the Tracy Beaker cast have showcased similar life changes and image transformations.
After leaving the show Dani Harmer – who played protagonist Tracy – had a brief singing career after signing a £3m record deal with Universal Music Group.
Later, she became a mum to daughter Avarie-Belle Betsy Rachel Brough with her partner Simon Brough before she gave birth to her second child, son Rowan Leon James.
Montanna Thompson, who played Tracy’s rival Justine Littlewood, looked like she hadn’t aged a day as she returned to TikTok.
Tracy Beaker cast - where are they?
TRACY Beaker was a kids telly staple airing on CBBC - yet what are the cast up to now?
The BBC hit series followed orphan Tracy and her pals in the ‘Dumping Ground’ children’s home.
- After leaving the show Dani Harmer – who played protagonist Tracy – had a brief singing career after signing a £3m record deal with Universal Music Group. Later, she became a mum to daughter Avarie-Belle Betsy Rachel Brough with her partner Simon Brough before she gave birth to her second child, son Rowan Leon James.
- Chelsie Padley, who played Tracy’s pal Louise Goven, gave up acting after leaving the show and is now a qualified fitness instructor teaching HITT and Zumba, with her own company Fit Peach. Her mantra is “strong is the new skinny” and she regularly shares content flashing her ripped body with her Instagram followers.
- Eagle-eyed fans previously spotted Alicia Hooper, who played troublemaker Amber, auditioning for The Voice UK.
- Montanna Thompson, who played troublesome Justine Littlewood, looked like she hadn’t aged a day as she returned to TikTok. She has starred in a host of other shows including The Last Detective, Sugar Rush, Doctors, Casualty, Close Relations and The Trials Of Jimmy Rose.
- In 2019, eagle-eyed soap fans noticed how Connor Byrne, who played care worker Mike Milligan, played a detective called Geoff in Emmerdale.
- Actor Craig Roberts, who played bandana-wearing Rio Wellard, has since landed a series of high-profile jobs in Hollywood.
Eagle-eyed fans previously spotted Alicia Hooper, who played troublemaker Amber, auditioning for The Voice UK.
Meanwhile, Joe Maw stunned fans with his grown up look and personal news as he took to TikTok to reveal he was set to become a dad.
Amy Leigh Hickman also looked completely different from her kids telly role as she starred in Netflix hit You.