THE proud dad of Strictly Come Dancing star Kara Tointon is urging the residents of south Essex to back the former Westcliff schoolgirl as she bids for the series’ crown tomorrow night.

Kara, 27, is favourite to win the popular BBC One dancing competition, but faces stiff competition in the form of Countryfile presenter Matt Baker and comedienne-turned-psychologist Pamela Stephenson.

Her dad Ken, 62, is looking forward to supporting his talented daughter at tomorrow’s live final alongside wife Carol, daughter Hannah, and Hannah’s boyfriend Joe Thomas, who stars alongside Hannah in Channel 4 comedy the Inbetweeners.

The proud dad said: “I was over the moon to see her get to the finals. It’s fantastic.

“Having come this far it would be wonderful to see her win, so it would be great if everyone could support her on the night.

“She would probably be happy coming out of it having made some new friends and had a great time, but she has done so well it would be lovely for her to win.”

Although the former EastEnders actress is the bookie’s favourite to lift the coveted glitterball trophy, her dad thinks she’ll be given a run for her money by Matt Baker.

He said: “Matt has a massive fan base so anything to help Kara is a boost.”

Kara’s participation in the show has given her a new-found respect for the gruelling schedule followed by full-time dancers as she has worked to master tricky routines and show-stopping moves.

Ken said: “Everyone is proud of their children, but when you see her on the television it can be quite surreal.

“When she did the Argentine tango last week she had to do a lot of bending on one leg and by the Thursday evening she was having to have us massage it because it was like a plank of wood!

“None of the competitors are professional dancers so Kara has respect for the people who do it full time know she knows how hard it is.”

Her fantastic performances have also helped her waltz her way into the hearts of the nation, and the show has given her profile a real boost. Her dad hopes it will help open new doors for her in the future.

He said: “She has not only learnt new skills, but the show has also allowed the British public to get to know her as a person, and not just as a character in Eastenders.

“There are people talking to her agent and hopefully things will come through for her, but I don’t want to say too much as many a slip betwixt cup and lip!”

Regardless of the outcome tomorrow, Ken feels Kara and her dance partner Artem Chigvintsev have done fantastically well, and added his blessing for their blossoming romance.

He laughed: “I’m sure they’ll be going on that date he promised her. Artem is a really nice bloke.”

The two-part final of Strictly Come Dancing will be broadcast on BBC One at 7pm and 9.05pm.