She was a child star as Tracy Beaker, the ‘pocket rocket’ on Strictly Come Dancing, and now Dani Harmer is taking on another challenge, performing in the 40th anniversary production of the Rocky Horror Show. Kathryn Tye caught up with her ahead of the cult classic’s return to the county this week.

Transvestism, orgies and alien invasions.

Dani Harmer is best known as the star of children’s TV drama The Story of Tracy Beaker, but the subject matter of her latest project, tongue-in-cheek musical The Rocky Horror Show, couldn’t be more adult.

And the 24-year-old is embracing the chance to act her age.

Dani, who played Tracy for a decade from the age of 13, said: “I do look back on those years fondly. I grew up on that set with all my friends and it was a great experience. I learnt loads. But I am 24 now, so if I was still playing Tracy it would get a bit tedious. Also, I’m an actress and that’s what I love doing, playing different characters. I have been a massive fan of Rocky Horror for years, so when they offered me a role I couldn’t turn it down.”

The musical tells the story of Brad and his fiancée Janet, two innocent college kids whose car breaks down outside a mysterious old castle, where they encounter transvestite Dr Frank N Furter, his “perfect” creation Rocky, and other wacky characters.

To mark 40 years of the quirky show, which features classic hits including Time Warp, a new anniversary production has been created starring Dani as Janet, and Ben Forster, who won ITV talent show Superstar and went on to play the lead in Jesus Christ Superstar, as Brad.

Acclaimed West End actor Oliver Thornton follows in the footsteps of Tim Curry as the suspenders and corset-clad Dr Frank N Furter.

Dani said: “I have have been in it since May and I’m loving it. It’s such a fun show, the only show you can go to where the audience shout out and sing along and also dress up - every single time there will be members of the audience in suspenders.”

She admits it was daunting following in the footsteps of Oscar-winning actress Susan Sarandon, who played Janet in the 1975 film version. “It was a challenge taking on such a well-established character, as you want to tip the nod towards the person who played it originally but also put your own spin on it as well.”

But Dani had a vast range of experience to draw upon, as she made her West End stage debut aged six in The Who’s rock musical Tommy, and has been working on stage and screen ever since.

She also recently added the new skill of ballroom dancing to her CV, after taking part in the last series of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.

Described as a ‘pocket rocket’ on the show by judge Len Goodman due to her small stature - 5’1” - Dani finished in fourth place with partner Vincent Simone.

She said: “It was the best experience of my life. I just loved every second of it. I’m not really a girlie girl but I did get into the glamour and glitter thing, although I am glad I don’t have to get a fake tan anymore as they smell pretty bad! And I had the best partner ever! Vincent and I are still in touch now. We thought we would be voted out in the first couple of weeks, so to still be there by the final was just absolutely amazing.”

But Dani hasn’t needed to drawn upon her newfound dance skills for her latest role.

She said: “The only song we really dance to is the Time Warp and it would look a little bit weird if I started ballroom dancing to it. Though I might give it a go one night and see how it goes down!”

The Rocky Horror Show is at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury from Monday, August 12 to Saturday, August 17. Tickets from £15. Call 01227 787787 or visit www.marlowetheatre.com