If you were one of those kids who raced home from school just to catch CBBC, then there's no doubt you'll remember Victoria Shalet as Harmony Parker in The Queen's Nose.
The BBC series, adapted from the novel by Dick King Smith, hooked young viewers in the 90s and early 2000s with its magical premise and memorable characters. The show followed Victoria as Harmony Parker, a young girl who receives a special 50p coin from her uncle Ginger, unaware of its magical properties. When she rubs the coin, it grants her ten wishes, setting off a series of often hilarious adventures.
The show originally aired for three successful series from 1995 to 1998 and received a reboot in 2000, running for an additional four series until 2003. Victoria Shalet, who played Harmony Parker, captivated audiences with her performance and was a regular on kids shows also featuring in Chucklevision.
After leaving the series in 2000, Victoria continued to act for several years, appearing in various TV shows such as The Bill, Doctors, Midsomer Murders, and Jonathan Creek. She also showcased her talent on the stage and provided voice-overs for commercials.
However, by 2012, Victoria felt a shift in her career aspirations. She decided to make a big change and pursued a career as a psychotherapist and counsellor. In an interview with Glamour Magazine she said: “I got to my early twenties and realized my heart just wasn't in it.
“Then I had some therapy myself and it really did make me re-evaluate what I wanted from life.”
As the late noughties rolled around, Victoria Shalet experienced a drying up of on-screen roles. However, it was a specific incident that became a turning point in her career. When she missed out on a role in the popular medical drama Holby City, Victoria saw it as a sign to shift her focus and pursue her other ambitions.
She decided to embark on a new path and enrolled in a foundation year in counselling, leading her to become a qualified therapist. As a humanistic psychotherapist, Victoria's 23 years in acting and her keen observation of the human condition have fuelled her interest in people and how the mind works.
She established her own practice based in Chiswick, London, where she helps individuals navigate their inner struggles and find healing and growth.
Outside of her professional accomplishments, Victoria found love with actor Adam James. They became engaged in 2013 and tied the knot in 2015. The couple welcomed their first child in September 2016. Adam also already has a daughter named Daisy from a previous relationship.
While The Queen's Nose remains a cherished memory for viewers, the revived version of the show followed Melody Parker, Harmony's sister, on new magical adventures. The revived series ran for four more seasons before concluding in 2003.
