Tracy Beaker's Louise Govern looks unrecognisable 20 years after iconic role
Louise Govern was a key character in the Tracy Beaker cast two decades ago, but her actress is almost unrecognisable now.
If you were a child in the early 2000s, it's likely that your after-school routine included watching children's TV favourites like the BBC's The Story of Tracy Beaker. The show first hit our screens over 20 years ago in 2002, and it's fair to say that the characters from the 'Dumping Ground' children's home look significantly different today compared to their youthful appearances on the show.
Chelsie Padley, one of the stars of the show, made a name for herself at the tender age of 10 when she landed the role of the sweet-natured Louise Govern, best known as the best friend of Tracy Beaker's nemesis, Justine Littlewood.
Chelsie left the role of Louise exactly two decades ago in 2004, and she recently celebrated her 33rd birthday - looking completely different these days. The former actress has transitioned into a fitness and lifestyle coach and is a mother to a daughter named Goldie, born last year.
To celebrate her birthday, Chelsie shared a series of photos on her Instagram account (@mamaspeachylife), including one where she looks stunning in a white dress cinched at the waist with a black belt.
Tracy Beaker fans who remember Louise's platinum blonde hair will be delighted to know that Chelsie still sports the same colour, although she's swapped the pigtails for a more sophisticated beachy waves hairstyle.
Photos in her Instagram post included cute pictures of her daughter, a snap of her caterpillar-themed birthday cake, and a brilliant picture of Chelsie making a face of revulsion during her "first drink in 18 months".
Her caption read: "This is 33. Three is my lucky number, so I've got a feeling this year is gonna be double lucky. Thank you SO much to everyone who's taken the time out of their day to wish me a happy birthday, I really appreciate it. Swipe to the end to see me really enjoy my first drink in 18 months."
Supporters inundated the post with well wishes for Chelsie's birthday, calling for her to have a "very memorable day" on her special occasion with her loved ones.
Moving on from Tracy Beaker in 2004 didn't mean she entirely abandoned her career in the entertainment world. Following her fitness trainer gig, she dipped her toes into singing and earned some stage time in several panto productions in her earlier years.
Additionally, in 2011, the multi-talented star had a fleeting role in a TV series called Tati's Hotel.
