Karen Hauer has confirmed she is set to close the chapter on her Strictly Come Dancing journey, weeks after it was reported the star was axed from the professional dancer line-up
Karen Hauer quits Strictly Come Dancing after 14 years
After weeks of silence, Strictly Come Dancing star Karen Hauer has emotionally revealed her fate on the show as she broke down in tears in a heartbreaking video.
Weeks after it was claimed Karen was to axed from the professional dancer line-up, Karen has spoken out to confirm she will not be returning to the BBC show this year. However, in the statement Karen didn’t reveal if the decision was made by herself or the BBC show bosses.
Karen isn’t the only star rumoured to have been booted from line-up of professionals in the upcoming series. Nadiya Bychkova, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, and Michelle Tsiakkas have all been said to have been axed in a reported ‘blood-bath’. However, there is currently no official confirmation from any of the other stars on their fate and the BBC are yet to announce the confirmed professional line-up for the next series. Fans won’t have long to wait, though, as the professional line-up is usually announced in April.
In the emotional clip, Karen – who was previously said to be in hiding in the wake of the bombshell news – is seen breaking down in tears as she gushes over her 14 year stint on the show. Karen, who is the longest serving female dancer on Strictly, is seen sitting on a chair inside an empty venue, which is moodily lit with small glowing lamps, in the video as she addresses her fans directly.
Karen shared the emotional update with fans on her Instagram page (Image:
Karen Hauer/Instagram)
Karen has been dancing on Strictly for 14 years (Image:
PA)
In the video, she begins: “Hey everyone, I’ve got something to tell you. It’s a tough one but here we go. After 14 years on Strictly Come Dancing, I’ve decided this is the right time for me to close this chapter and take on new projects in other areas that I’m passionate about.
“Strictly completely changed my life, not only as a performer and a teacher, but as a human being. I’ve had the privilege of meeting so many incredible people and brilliant celebrity partners. Who have become close friends and people I admire so much.” She added: “None of this would have been possible without the amazing fans. You’ve been there since day one when I just moved to the UK and had no idea what I was getting myself into.
“I’m so grateful you watched me grow over the years and witnessed all of my different hairstyles. I’m gonna miss everyone who makes the show possible. From hair, makeup, wardrobe, the crew behind the cameras, lighting, production, and staging, the runners, Dave Arch, and the band, the singers, and the producers and welfare team who take such good care of us.”
The professional dancer, who was a fan-favourite on the BBC Saturday night staple, continued” “It’s an incredible machine powered by brilliant people. To my fellow professional dancers who I adore, I will always be cheering you on. You truly are the best in the business.”
Looking back on her time on the show, she gushed: “I’ll never forget joining the show 14 years ago with Sir Bruce Forsyth and Len Goodman and learning from such incredible legends along the way and to the brilliant Tess and Claudia. Maybe now we can finally be ladies who lunch in the autumn,” she joked.
She emotionally admitted: “I’ll even miss standing in front of the judges. Can you believe that? Smiling politely while sometimes secretly disagreeing. It’s been an honour to share the ballroom with them.
“And last but not least, thank you to my friends and family who have supported me through it all. I love you all. Now this isn’t a goodbye, it’s simply see you later because I will never stop dancing,” she then fought back tears as she said: “Who would have thought than a young girl from the Bronx…” breaking down she continued: “would end up becoming the longest serving female professional dancer on a British TV institution. Strictly will always be in my heart. I love you all,” Karen then signed off the message by blowing a kiss to the camera.
The emotional update on Karen’s Strictly journey was simply captioned on her Instagram with: “A little update from me,” followed by a red heart emoji. It comes weeks after reports Karen had been told by BBC bosses her Strictly contract was not being renewed.
Sources claimed earlier this month that the show was taking an “out with the old in with the new” stance to the show – after Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman bowed out from their hosting roles in the last series. Karen was the longest serving female dancer on the show and had been paired with a string of big names throughout her stint.
Karen had danced with Mark Wright, Jeremy Vine, Chris Ramsey, Jamie Laing, Eddie Kadi and more – before she was finally paired with Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey last year.
