The BBC has denied reports that 39 year old dancer, Karen Hardy has been sacked from the show.

Rumours suggested that Hardy was being replaced by a younger twenty something dancer, just weeks after Arlene Phillips was replaced by Alesha Dixon. However the BBC says that Karen hasn’t been sacked, just awarded a new and frankly mysterious role.

Hardy told MSN: “I’ve enjoyed a great four years on Strictly Come Dancing and I’m discussing new ways I can be both involved in the show this year and pursue a number of exciting projects and opportunities that have come my way.”

A BBC spokesman said: “The decision to change Karen’s role has absolutely nothing to do with age. It was a mutual decision between her and the BBC.

“She’s been a fantastic dancer on Strictly for the past four years and we are in discussions with her as to what her new role will be in this year’s series.”

An insider said this could involve a role in spin off show It Takes Two, on BBC2.