Strictly Come Dancing star Karen Hardy to return as JUDGE on the show
FORMER Strictly Come Dancing star Karen Hardy is set to make a dramatic comeback 10 years after she shimmied to triumph in the contest.
Karen Hardy is set for a dramatic comeback as she's lined up to be judge
The professional dancer won when partnering ex-England cricketer Mark Ramprakash in 2006.
New Strictly Come Dancing season has launched
This is a huge statement in favour of Karen. It’s now not looking good for Anton
Some insiders believe she has even overtaken Anton du Beke, the Strictly ever-present, as favourite to succeed Len.
The mother of two has been named as a judge on the Strictly Come Dancing live BBC show in January.
Programme bosses believe that placing her alongside Len, 72, and Craig Revel Horwood, 51, will be the perfect test for her.
Some believe she has overtaken Anton du Beke, the favourite to succeed Len Goodman
Now Karen, 46, is being lined up to take over from Len Goodman on the panel of judges.They will study how she reacts to the crowds and how she comes across in her enhanced role as adjudicator.
An insider said: “This is a huge statement in favour of Karen. It’s now not looking good for Anton.” Karen and Ramprakash, now 47, won with a sizzling Argentinian tango.
Despite an early setback when Mark’s microphone snagged in her dress, they edged ahead of rugby player Matt Hardy and Lilia Kopylova.
Karen Hardy won when partnering ex-England cricketer Mark Ramprakash in 2006
But three years later, she was dropped from the series, aged 39, in favour of younger dancers, amid accusations of ageism at the BBC.
She has said of her long ballroom dancing career: “I just do my job. If I do it properly, people will love it. That’s how I’ve always approached things.”
Len stunned fans when he announced he would be leaving the competition after 12 years as a judge.
He said: “It’s an honour being part of the wonderful Strictly Come Dancing family.
"I’m looking forward to my last series and to whatever comes next.”
Julien Macdonald urged model Lowe to become a 'sex vixen' if she wants to win
Meanwhile, fashion designer Julien Macdonald yesterday urged his model friend Daisy Lowe to become a “sex vixen” if she wants to win.
Daisy, 27, has promised fireworks with a vow to wear risqué, skintight and skimpy outfits for her first routine this weekend.
But Macdonald, who competed in the show three years ago, urged her to “sex up her routine” with dance partner Aljaz Skorjanec, even further.
He said: “I’ll be watching her. I’m really interested to see if Daisy Lowe can be the sex vixen on the dance floor. She’s one of Britain’s most glamorous models and a great girl.”
The pair’s opening dance, a waltz to Nat King Cole’s Unforgettable, will pit them against ballroom turns like Will Young and Karen Clifton’s tango to Let’s Dance by David Bowie