FANS packing out Strictly’s big live tour will be checking out new judge Karen Hardy as well as the fabulous dancing.
As will BBC bosses.
Former glitterball winner Karen, 46, is joining Len Goodman and Craig Revel Horwood on the panel for the hugely popular tour.
But she has also been tipped to be a permanent replacement for Len on the BBC series.
And Karen has told iN10 that, if the Beeb did coming knocking at her door, there’s no chance of her slamming it shut.
“I was so shocked just to get this invitation for the tour,” admits Karen.
“I’m going to enjoy this and be myself, just like I am on Choreography Corner on It Takes Two.
“People seem to love the knowledge I’m able to share. I hope I do a good job and the audiences are happy.
“If everyone has a good time and the big bosses like me, then we’ll see what happens. I want to enjoy this tour first, but if the big job came along that would be an absolute honour.”
Karen is like any working mum, juggling family life with husband Conrad and sons Callum, 11, and Taylor, two, along with her dance commitments.
She’s showing remarkable multi-tasking skills in keeping lively toddler Taylor in check as she chats to us on what she admits is “a bit of a crazy day.”
Packing was being finalised before she set off on the 30-date tour, which kicked off in Birmingham on Friday.
It’s the 10th tour and fans will see six of the celebrities and their pro partners who lit up our screens from September to December.
Champ Ore Oduba will be showing the moves that took him all the way to glory. Partner Joanne Clifton has theatre commitments, so Karen Clifton – who’s married to Joanne’s brother Kevin – will stand in.
Kevin will be paired with Louise Redknapp and the third finalist, Danny Mac, will be dancing with pro Oti Mabuse.
Birds Of A Feather star Lesley Joseph will dance with Gorka Marquez while model Daisy Lowe will take to the floor with her show partner, Aljaz Skorjanec.
For many, the highlight is sure to be Ed Balls’ routines with Katya Jones.
Their Gangnam Style routine sent social media into meltdown and helped make the 2016 series the most-watched ever.
And Karen, who won with Mark Ramprakash in 2006, agrees it was her favourite series.
“It’s crucial you grab the audience in the first week,” she explains.
“People always say to me that they don’t know the celebrities.
“But I always say to wait until it starts and then you forget about their celebrity status and it’s the partnership you connect with.
“That’s the magic of Strictly. When they all came out that first week there was so much energy.
“Every year I think, ‘This can’t keep getting better’. I don’t know how the show manages it but, somehow, it does.
“And you have wonderful moments on the show like Gene Kelly’s widow being in the audience for Ore and Joanne’s Singing In The Rain number in the final.”
Although his final TV appearance was in the Christmas special, Len will be getting his judging paddles out again for the tour.
And Karen, who has known Len since she was a kid, reckons the audiences are in for a treat.
“Len isn’t just a television character. He’s the same whether he’s on set or off.
“The nation loves tradition and he’s been with the show from the very beginning.
“He ticks all the boxes and I think people will love seeing him give a ‘SEVEN!’ or a ‘10 from Len’.”
Karen has been in the world of dance since childhood but says Strictly takes interest to a whole new level.
“I’ll go down the high street and people will stop me and ask if I agree that some celebrity’s top line wasn’t right.
“Or friends will want to share their thoughts over dinner.
“The dance world is quite small, but Strictly brings it to everyone.”
Newcastle Metro Arena, Tuesday, Glasgow SSE Hydro, Friday to Sunday, For tickets, call 0844 875 8758 or see strictlycomedancinglive.com
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