Me with Karen and Wayne aka Miss Levi

At the beginning of this year Karen Ravenscroft, otherwise known as Kinky Karen was one of several Brits that was featured on Channel 5's "Benidorm ER" documentary series. The camera crew followed her around whilst she was investigating the cause and treatment for a severe back problem.

She was advised by doctors that she needed an operation but Karen decided against it after researching the risks involved in the procedure and instead opted for "alternative" therapies. Many people have asked and even emailed to ask how she is getting on so I decided to give her and call and find out.

She certainly looked very glamorous and the picture of health when we met up last week - amazing considering what the prognosis  from the "professionals" was. She is still experiencing what she describes as electric shocks going down her spine and leg but is learning to manage the pain. Back at work she has had to adapt her routines and only does 20 minute shows ... previously she was doing much longer and more strenuous acts but has had to scale that down. She performs at the newly opened "Silverstone" 4 days a week (Thurs-Sun) starting at midnight then follows that up with a slot at  1.30am in "Broadway" - where she can be seen every night. She also still works at Daytona on the Levante seafront from 2 till 6pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

She is back at the gym but does what she described as "old lady" exercises ... gentle movements and stretches - certainly no more lifting weights like she use to and she can't remember the last time she pole danced! She is very philosophical about her future. "Up to now I have been blessed to do what I do.I have a job I love and everything I've done Im proud of. However, I realise that there is a limited lifespan and I am already planning for the next stage of my career".

Act with her pet snake Chanel

The last time we met, Karen spoke to me about her desire to become an illusionist and I wondered whether this was the path she planned to follow. Well the answer is yes. She already has experience in this field she told me. Many years ago she use to do a snake act - and proceeded to tell me a story. Her pet snake was called Chanel and was 1 metre long which had to be fed live mice. Those that Chanel didn't eat Karen would put into a special "mouse house" which she bought, complete with wheel and toys and they too became her pets which she then couldn't bear to feed to the snake. When the snake eventually died - of old age not starvation she hastened to add, she decided against another reptile!

Her current fire act involving candles

Karen also use to perform a fire act which in itself can be very risky, but was specially trained by professionals.
She currently has a smaller scale fire act using candles which is part of her routine at Broadway every night - and there is also "audience participation" ... but be warned Karen said, wax can be hot!

So what does she have planned for her illusion show and when I wanted to know.
Well she is off to the Magic Convention being held in Blackpool next February to purchase 2 or 3 illusions - but they have to be portable. "I won't be making a helicopter appear like they once did at Benidorm Palace" she laughed. She has a fairly good idea of what she is looking for and the Blackpool Convention is the best place to see what is on offer to the magic industry. She will certainly be re-introducing a fire act for which she is already trained and will also be taking on an acrobat .... a certain lady's name was mentioned who is currently working with her mother (shhh ... you didn't hear it from me!). "It will be a visual show and will entail Karen appearing as different characters" - a complete change in direction to what she is doing now.

"I would be looking to do the show exclusively at either a hotel or stage venue as it would be virtually impossible to have to keep moving all the equipment around". Now the fact that we met at Showboat could possibly have some relevance... but then again maybe not - you'll just have to keep guessing (my lips are sealed - and if I say anything they certainly will be, with wax if Karen finds out).