Ex-pro dancer Karen Hardy hints at replacing Len Goodman on Strictly panel as she urges BBC bosses to embrace diversity
The It Takes Two expert has reportedly been given the seal of approval by the 72-year-old ex-judge, who quit the show this year after a decade
STRICTLY’s Karen Hardy has called on BBC bosses to make the show’s judging panel more diverse.
The former professional dancer, 46, has been tipped to replace Len Goodman, 72, as head judge for the fifteenth series of the hit dance show.
And now Karen has hinted that she wants the top job by urging show chiefs to bring another “strong woman” onto the panel – alongside Darcey Bussell, 47.
The It Takes Two expert, who won Strictly in 2006 with cricketer Mark Ramprakash, told The Sun: “Darcey is incredibly talented and knowledgeable –she’s been dancing ever since she was a little girl, like me.
“I say girl power, we all love girl power. It would be great to balance the panel out with another strong woman.
“But for now it’s all closed doors, it’s completely in the hands of the execs at the moment.
“I just hope a lucky star will shine down on me as I would love to do it – it would be an absolute honour to stay part of a show I’m so passionate about.”
BBC execs were previously accused of ageism in 2009 after Karen was dropped as a pro dancer in favour of performers in their 20s.
But Len, who bowed out from Strictly after more than a decade this Christmas, has given Karen his seal of approval to return to the show and take over his role.
And he has even been giving Karen judging tips alongside his fellow judge Craig Revel Horwood, 52, on the Strictly Live UK Tour, which is currently taking place in venues across the country until February 12.
Karen admitted: “I felt shell-shocked to be asked to work alongside Craig and Len on the tour.
“They’ve been really welcoming and have been guiding me along the way telling me which buttons to press when, how to hold up my paddle and stuff like that.”
She added: “I’ve known Len since I was five or six years old.
“We’ve had little cuddles and chats along the way and he’s let me shadow him.
“But I don’t think he could ever be truly replaced – he’s a real legend and everyone loves him.”
Despite all her tips from Len, Karen admitted that she still feels extremely nervous before she takes her place on the judging panel on the live tour.
She confessed: “I am frightened about judging – just because I don’t want to let anyone down.
“It’s a mixture of excitement and nerves. It’s like I’m about to go into labour.”