An actress who starred in an iconic British children’s television show in the early 2000s has shared what child stardom was like – and fans can’t believe what she looks like now

This actress looks unrecognisable from her iconic children’s TV role.

If you were a child in the early 2000s, you’ll no doubt remember some truly iconic television shows that we were treated to. There was often a debate about whether you were a CBBC kid or a CITV one, but both popular channels had some great shows to get stuck into after school.

Those who watched CITV between 1999 and 2006 will likely have fond memories of one show in particular – My Parents Are Aliens. In the show, Brian and Sophie Johnson adopt three foster children, Mel, Josh, and Lucy Barker. But all is not as it seems, as the kids soon learn that their new parents are actually aliens who crash-landed on Earth.

And now, 19 years after the show aired its final episode, one actress is opening up about what it was really like to be a child star on the series. Danielle McCormack shared a video on TikTok in which she spoke about her time playing Mel Barker, and fans couldn’t believe how different she looks now.

Talking about her role in the show, she said: “I played Mel, who was the oldest of the three children. Mel was a really interesting character because she was sort of known for her very moody personality and her very eclectic, punky dress sense. She was very multifaceted, and there were lots of layers to her.

“I think playing Mel was probably one of my biggest achievements. Just because I think a lot of what she was going through really resonated with people. It’s always really nice to hear when people tell me that they were going through a really difficult time and they found comfort in some of Mel’s storyline. That’s something that I’m always going to be really proud of.”

Danielle went on to say the cast and crew of the show got together last year to mark 25 years since the first episode aired. While she didn’t confirm who attended the party, other cast of the show included Tony Gardener, who played dad Brian, and Barbara Durkin and Carla Mendonca, who both played mum Sophie at different times.

She added: “Recently, we had a 25th-anniversary party, which was really, really nice. I don’t think we’ve all been in the same room together since we were actually filming the show. It felt like no time had passed.

“I think you always [value] the sort of connections that you’ve made with someone where you can not see someone for a really long time, and then you’re back in a room with them again, and it just feels like they’re exactly the same person. Although we all looked a little bit older, I’m not going to lie.”

The actress also discussed the potential for a revival of the series and admitted it isn’t “on the cards.” However, she said she would love to be involved if some sort of reboot did happen.

She said: “So what’s next? I have no idea. There was a Reddit thread at one point where people were kind of demanding a reboot. I don’t think that is on the cards. But listen, if that opportunity came up, I’d be there. I’d be there with my buffalo boots on and my pigtails. Mel was a massive part of my life, and I’m really proud of that part.”

Since her role in the series, Danielle has made a few fleeting TV appearances, including in a 2001 episode of Casualty. Her last documented TV role was in an episode of Doctors, which aired in 2010. Danielle is also a musician and currently plays drums for a band called The Gospel.

Commenters on her video couldn’t believe how much she had changed over the years and said they’d felt a “wave of nostalgia” after hearing her talk about the show. Even iconic Irish pop duo Jedward took the comments to tell Danielle that My Parents Are Aliens was their “favourite show” when they were growing up.