Jacqueline Wilson has opened up about her Tracy Beaker series, confirming that Tracy’s adoptive mum Cam is gay.
The first book was published back in 1991, and focused on 10-year-old Tracy who lived in a foster home dubbed 'The Dumping Ground' before getting fostered by author Cam.
Speaking to The Independent, Jacqueline explained: "Anybody reading between the lines in the early Tracy Beaker books [would see that] her foster mum Cam, is to my mind, clearly gay.
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"In the older books, when Tracy is grown up and has a daughter of her own, Cam gets herself a very nice girlfriend.
"I thought it was time she had a bit of fun in her life too."
Tracy has featured in numerous book sequels since the first was published, as well as the popular CBBC series.
Dani Harmer took the lead role, and is soon reprising it for a new series coming to CBBC about Tracy's daughter.
Adapted from the 2018 book My Mum Tracy Beaker, the show follows a career-driven, adult version of Tracy and her relationship with 12-year-old daughter Jess.
Jacqueline explained: "I don't want an 'absolutely everything is quite wonderful' ending – after all, at the start of the first book Tracy herself says life isn't a fairy story where everyone lives happily ever after.
"I'm dealing with adults leading adult lives, and I want to be truthful to all that. But she is my lucky character... and I have a soft spot for her, too."
The author, who also penned popular books including Double Act, The Illustrated Mum and Girls in Love, previously revealed her own sexuality earlier this year when discussing her new book Love Frankie.
The story focuses on Frankie, a tomboy who falls in love with a girl in her class.
"I've never really been in any kind of closet," Wilson said at the time.
"It would be such old news for anybody that has ever known anything much about me. Even the vaguest acquaintance knows perfectly well that we are a couple."
My Mum Tracy Beaker by Jacqueline Wilson is available to read now.
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Catherine is an Evening News Editor at Digital Spy, and was the site's News Editor between 2018 and 2024. Prior to that, she worked at OK! Online, and has interviewed a slew of celebrities across her career in entertainment news, including Tom Hanks, Cheryl and Noel Fielding. Catherine also has specialist knowledge in all things drag, interviewing a huge portion of RuPaul’s Drag Race stars, and getting her own drag makeover for Channel 4's show Drag SOS. LinkedIn
