Karen Hardy has been approached by bosses of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ about taking on the head judge role when Len Goodman leaves the show later this year.
The 46-year-old ballroom dancer – who was employed as a professional dancer on the programme from 2005 until 2008 – has teased that she’s been in discussions with producers of the series about joining the panel next year and has admitted she’d waste no time signing the contract if the documents were to land in her email inbox in the near future.
Speaking exclusively to BANG Showbiz, she said: "Let’s just say, there’s been rumblings going around. But let’s just say, if an email comes in, I won’t say no."
And the brunette beauty doesn’t think she’ll have any trouble settling in as she really enjoys working alongside the other female panelist Darcey Bussell.
She said: "I love Darcey, I love them all. I’ve been a judge for 15 years so it’s not something I’d be in fear of. I’m told everyone loves me and I didn’t realise it until recently. Let’s just keep our fingers crossed. See what the Gods have in store for me … I keep trying to walk away but somehow they keep bringing me back. I’ve been on there since series three now and I was speaking with Brendan Cole on set yesterday and he said, ‘My God Karen we’ve been on his show a long time’ and we love it. I don’t want to call me an oldie but they love the oldies. I’ve shared a lot of knowledge over the years."
And Karen will certainly have a lot of experience ahead of her new head judge role as bosses have asked her to join the panel for the live tour ‘Strictly Come Dancing Live!’ next year alongside Len and Craig Revel Horwood.
She explained: "It was a bit of a shock, the email came in. The tour doesn’t start until the end of January. The celebrities won’t be announced until nearer the time. I’m the new judge with Len and Craig on the tour and then they’ll be announcing the lovely celebrities as the weeks go along. It’ll be exciting and, for me, I know there are 12 million people out there watching ‘Strictly…’ but I think getting into a stadium and seeing the passion of how much love ‘Strictly…’ and dancing. I can’t wait.
"I’m not going to lie to you but I’m still in shock. Basically the email came in, I looked at the screen and then I looked away at my work and I sort of double took. I just thought, ‘Oh you’re joking?’ and then I ran into my room and jumped on the bed – I literally did that. I must confessed. I never saw that coming."
Karen Hardy approached to be judge on Strictly Come Dancing
