Strictly Come Dancing Pro Karen Hauer Announces She's Quit After 14 Seasons |
Strictly Come Dancing Pro Karen Hauer Announces She's Quit After 14 Seasons
"Strictly will always be in my heart. I love you all."
Strictly Come Dancing professional Karen Hauer has confirmed rumours that she has quit the show after 14 seasons.
Earlier this month, Karen was one of five Strictly pros reported to be leaving the show in a shake-up ahead of this year’s season, with Nadiya Bychkova, Gorka Márquez, Luba Mushtuk and Michelle Tsiakkas also tipped to not be returning.
While Nadiya, Gorka, Luba and Michelle have all remained tight-lipped on the rumours, Karen announced over the weekend that that she would not be back on the BBC dance show in 2026.
Posting on Sunday, the Venezuelan-American performer – who had been the longest-serving dancer in the show’s current troupe, and the longest-serving female dancer in its history – told her Instagram followers: “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.
“None of this would have been possible without the amazing fans. You’ve been there since day one, when I’d 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 going to 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. 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.”
She continued: “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 [Daly] and Claudia [Winkleman], maybe now we can finally be ladies who lunch in the autumn.
“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.”
“Now, this isn’t a goodbye,” she insisted. “It’s simply ‘see you later’. Because I will never stop dancing.
“Who would have thought that a young girl from the Bronx 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.”
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A number of Karen’s Strictly colleagues, including Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk, Nancy Xu, Vito Coppola, Jowita Pryztal and Lauren Oakley have been sharing their love in the comments.
“There’s no one like you K, we love you mamasita!” Johannes Radebe wrote, while Dianne Buswell told her she was “always a star”.
Over the course of her time on Strictly, Karen was paired with Westlife singer Nicky Byrne, TV chef Dave Myers, reality star Mark Wright, broadcaster Jeremy Vine, pop singer Will Young, daytime presenter Simon Rimmer and actor Charles Venn.
More recently, she’s danced with comedian Chris Ramsey, reality-TV-personality-turned-podcaster Jamie Laing, performer Greg Wise, stand-up comics Jayde Adams and Eddie Kadi, football legend Paul Merson and Gladiators fave Harry “Nitro” Aikines-Aryeetey.
She made it to the Strictly final twice, with Mark Wright and Jamie Laing.
Strictly Come Dancing