Following Alesha Dixon's exit from the BBC One talent show at the start of the year, Digital Spy's readers have been voting for who they believe should replace the pop singer on the panel.
Hardy, a former pro dancer on the ballroom dance contest, picked up over 40% of the vote. Over 11,000 people voted in the poll in total.
© PA Images / Yui Mok/PA Archive
© PA Images / John Phillips/EMPICS Entertainment
Ex-judge Arlene Phillips, who was controversially replaced by Dixon, has 23.4% of readers backing her for a surprise return.
Other possibilities include ex-Strictly champion Kara Tointon (6.8%), pro Camilla Dallerup (4.3%) and ballet star Darcey Bussell (3.1%).
Girls Aloud star and former X Factor judge Cheryl Cole is a surprise outsider with 4.7% of the votes.
The BBC is not expected to reveal the details of Dixon's replacement until the summer.
> Strictly Bruno Tonioli backs Kara Tointon to replace Alesha Dixon
> Arlene Phillips: 'I don't need to rejoin Strictly Come Dancing'
