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Mark Ramprakash dancing with Karen Hardy
Mark Ramprakash (born 5 September 1969) is an English cricketer. He first started playing for Middlesex and later was selected for England at the age of 21. Though he has been a productive player for Surrey since 2001, in international cricket he has failed to live up to his standards and has never secured a place as a fixture in the England team.
He is married to wife, Vandana, who he met while attending a cricket function in North West London, in 1988. They married in 1993 and have two daughters, Cara (born 1997) and Anya (born 2002).
Mark Ramprakas in Series Four
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Mark Ramprakash (BBC Profile)
Cricketer of the Year 2006 Mark Ramprakash has 2005's winner Darren Gough to thank for taking part in this series of Strictly Come Dancing.
He watched and supported Darren during the last series and loved the way he captured the public's imagination with his personality and dancing ability.
"Darren made it 'legit' - he made it all about fun and taking yourself out of your comfort zone and seeing how you do."
After a life of playing cricket, Mark is looking forward to the challenge of doing something completely different.
His family have been very supportive, although when he told his eight-year-old daughter - who's a big fan of the show - she laughed and said: "What are you thinking?!"
Other than nights out with friends, Mark has no dance experience but enjoys a boogie and says: "Once I'm up there I enjoy it".
When it comes to taking criticism, Mark isn't afraid to defend himself.
"I've never taken criticism that well: if I'm happy with what I have tried to do, it won't matter but I can't rule out yelling back at the judges!"
Mark is particularly looking forward to learning the Latin dances: "The Latin style is more exciting where you can have a bit of fun"; although if he could learn one particular style he would love to be able to breakdance!
Mark first made his name for Middlesex before playing for England. He then went on to join Surrey and became the first man to captain both Middlesex and Surrey.
Mark lives in Middlesex with his wife and two daughters.
Mark Ramprakash dancing with Karen Hardy in Series Four
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Karen Hardy
Current reigning champion of Strictly Come Dancing, Karen is one of the most highly regarded women in dancing today. Before her retirement from the competitive world of dance in March 1999, Karen's successful partnership with Bryan Watson saw them as undefeated United Kingdom, International, British National, World Masters, Open Italian, Yankie Classic, London Open and Osaka World Trophy Champions of Latin American dance.
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