Karen Hardy

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Karen Hardy (born Weymouth, Dorset in 1970), competed as a professional Latin American dancer, and is a former international, United Kingdom Open, British National, European and World Masters Champion.

She started dancing aged five in her home town of Bournemouth, and competed in the United States for two years from the age of 18 winning both East and West Coast amateur championship titles. She returned to the UK in 1990 after two years in America where she teamed up with new partner Mark Lunn. It only took 6 months before they broke into all the grand finals worldwide, representing England.[citation needed]

Karen Hardy turned professional in August 1994, after being asked to partner South African dancer Bryan Watson. They were highly successful from 1995-1999. In January 1995 they entered the Professional Final of the Pioneer United Kingdom Open Championship finishing fourth. Their procession to the top continued over the coming year going from fourth to first. The couple won the Carl Alan award for services to the dance world and were named the most outstanding Latin American couple in 1995 by the Ballroom Dancers Federation.[citation needed] During their 5 year partnership they were World Masters, Osaka World Trophy, United Kingdom Open, International Open, British National, Italian Open, London Open, Yankee Classic Professional Latin American Champions. Discussing her success, she writes:

To create a step and then see it copied around the world is an indescribable reward. They don't come any more dedicated and focused than Bryan, and that's why we were able to break what had been set in stone for so long.[1]

Hardy retired from competitive dancing in 1999 and moved into coaching. She was named Teacher of the Year in 2002 and 2003 at the Crystal Palace Dance Championships. She is also an adjudicator and now judges all of the Grand Slam events worldwide which she had previously competed in and more. She is a Senior Commentator for EuroSport DanceSport Series. Karen also co-hosts as the Master of Ceremonies in the International Open to the World Championships held annually at the Royal Albert Hall, London.

Karen participated in the television series Faking It (Series 4) for Channel 4. Along with Paul Harris they mentored a young lady kick boxer to become Latin American Dancer

After seven years, Karen made her "comeback" in the third series of the BBC's television series Strictly Come Dancing with journalist and presenter Bill Turnbull, in the 2005 Christmas show with former World Heavyweight Champion Evander Holyfield, and won the 2006 series with cricketer Mark Ramprakash. She danced in the 2007 series with actor Brian Capron. They were eliminated in the first round.

In June/July 2007 Karen completed filming the DVD "Strictly Come Dancersize" with Erin Boag. The DVD went on general release on 4 December 2007.

[edit] Personal life

In 2003, Karen married Conrad Murray on the Greek island of Santorini.[2]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Strictly Come Dancing Official Guide, 2005.
  2. ^ Karen & Conrad Murray, Titanium Album, Santorini

[edit] External links

Preceded by
Darren Gough and Lilia Kopylova		 Strictly Come Dancing Champion
(with partner Mark Ramprakash)
Series 4 (2006)		 Succeeded by
Alesha Dixon and Matthew Cutler