Interview: Dani Harmer

It really is, I’ve been a massive fan of Rocky Horror for years. The first time I saw it was in Cardiff, which is where I’m performing now, and I was only13 then so it’s just great to be in it. I’ve always wanted to play Janet so to get that chance is absolutely amazing.

You started in musicals too, in The Who’s Tommy in the West End?

I did but I was only six and I played someone who was deaf, dumb and blind so there wasn’t much singing or talking involved. Rocky Horror is quite different, it’s my first proper musical I guess.

If you could star in any musical what would it be and why?

Oh gosh, probably Rocky Horror because I love it and that’s the only part I ever wanted to play. I’m just loving doing this one, I feel like I could be in it forever.

Do you enjoy doing musicals?

Yes, but it’s something that I never really thought of doing. I love to dance and sing so it’s a great role for me. It’s a show like no other, the audience get dressed up, shout out and bring their own props so they’re as much involved as we are on stage. Every single show is really fresh and it keeps us on our toes so we never get bored of it.

Do you prefer acting or dancing? If you had to choose which would it be?

I suppose acting, because I love playing characters. I really enjoy dancing, which is obvious from the fact that I did Strictly. That was one of the best experiences of my life.

You played such an iconic character during your time as Tracey Beaker, how did you get that role?

I was only 12 when I started Tracey Beaker so it was a normal audition process. I went to meet the producers and the directors, read from the script and stuff. They’d searched up and down the country for the right girl and I just happened to fit the bill. Here I am 12 years later still talking about it.

Were you a fan of the Jacqueline Wilson books when you were younger?

Yes, Jacqueline is such a great author because she wrote about stuff that we were all going through as kids but managed to not be patronising. I was a massive fan of her books but Tracey Beaker was actually the only one I hadn’t read. I’ve met her quite a few times, she used to visit the set every year and see how we all were and how the show was going. She always said she’s really proud of it, which is great.

The other thing that people will know you from is when you made the final of Strictly Come Dancing, what was that experience like?

I had no idea I was going to get that far! I really thought I would be out in the first couple of weeks and we just had fun each week, took each week as it came, tried our best and I just wanted to make Vincent proud. To get to the final was just absolutely incredible but to be honest it was all just a big blur. I just could not believe I was there but it was so much fun and I met some amazing people.

You had some really amazing outfits as well, did you enjoy that side of things?

Yes, absolutely! It prepared me for my role in Rocky Horror because we didn’t wear that much on Strictly so it kind of helps with confidence issues and being in my underwear on stage now. It’s not that big a deal. Luckily for us we can look down at the audience and imagine them in their underwear as well, which makes you feel less vulnerable.

Being in the public eye, do you feel any kind of pressure to look or dress a certain way?

No, I don’t care what people think. If I like something I’ll wear it whether it’s flattering or not. I don’t judge people who walk down the street so I don’t see why we should be judged. I don’t feel any pressure at all. I just want to send the message out that you can wear what you want. As long as you feel happy, that’s the most important thing.

Your Twitter profile says you like ‘classic rock’...

I’m a massive Queen fan, and I love Led Zeppelin, AC/DC all those kinds of bands. I have no idea where that came from because both of my parents like Motown so I’m definitely the odd one out in my family.

And pork pies...

Oh I love a pork pie, I really do! I think it just reminds me of being a kid, I used to have one in my packed lunch so that carried on into my adult years.

Are you looking forward to coming up to Dunfermline? Have you been up here before?

I’ve never been so I’m very excited. I can’t wait actually. It’s brilliant, I’ve got to go all these different places that I’ve never seen before and I get to return to beautiful places like Cardiff where I’ve got so many fond memories.

Have you got a favourite place that you’ve visited?

Probably Cardiff because I filmed Tracey Beaker here so it holds a special place in my heart. It’s like a second home to me, it’s really nice to be back.

The Rocky Horror show is at the Alhambra as of Monday (21st October)