Dani's Castle

Having achieved a highly commendable runner-up position on Strictly Come Dancing, Dani Harmer's elevated star status is reflected in the fact her former CBBC show Dani's House has been upgraded to the new Dani's Castle.

For Dani has come into an inheritance from one of those previously unmentioned distant relatives much beloved of sitcom writers, and off she relocates to Ireland to claim her grand country pile. With it come some new friends - including a cousin with whom she has to share the bequest - a library with secret passageways leading from it, a mountain of unpaid bills and several ghosts displaying various degrees of malevolence.

Much screaming, misunderstanding and running down corridors follows, in the great tradition of Abbott & Costello, Laurel & Hardy, Scooby & Shaggy and every other comic character that ever crossed paths with the supernatural.

Indeed, the set-up is exploited with such verve, energy and imagination that you hardly notice those members of the youthful cast who are - how can I put this in a supportive, nurturing way? - a trifle wooden. In fact, the inclusion of at least one such actor in every CBBC show would suggest the channel has some sort of quota to fill.

Wooden teenage actors I can forgive, but not the imposition of a horribly distracting and totally unnecessary laughter track. Not a full-throated studio audience roar of amusement, you understand, but a rather cursory group chuckle that sounds like a few passers-by sharing a joke among themselves. Laughter tracks are an abomination. Dani's Castle is genuinely funny and the producers should trust their young audience to find it so, unaided and alone.

Harry Venning, The Stage, 25th January 2013

Fresh from her triumphant appearances on Strictly Come Dancing, Dani Harmer stars in this comedy drama about a young actress who inherits a spooky castle - and a rather attractive spectre who'd be a perfect boyfriend if only he hadn't died 250 years ago. Although Dani dreams of becoming the lady of the manor, she needs to turn it into a thriving business.

Jane Rackham, Radio Times, 17th January 2013

Can Dani Harmer act her age?

Can former star of the Tracy Beaker shows use Strictly Come Dancing to break out into a grown-up career?

Gerard Gilbert, The Independent, 8th December 2012