Karen Hauer breaks down in tears as she confirms she has quit Strictly following axed rumours – after 14 years as the show’s longest female professional dancer

by

Karen Hauer became emotional while announcing her departure from Strictly Come Dancing, following reports that she was among those let go in a recent round of cuts.

Venezuelan-American dancer, 43, has been a professional on the show for 14 years, making her the longest-serving female dancer in its history.

Earlier this month, reports surfaced that she was among a group of dancers unexpectedly cut from the show as part of a significant cast change.

Strictly Come Dancing has let go of four of its professional dancers: Nadiya Bychkova (36), Michelle Tsiakkas (30), Luba Mushtuk (36), and Gorka Márquez (35). Sources say the dancers already knew these decisions were coming.

On Saturday, Karen announced in a heartfelt video on Instagram that she’s leaving the show to pursue other opportunities.

Honestly, it totally wrecked me when she started talking about it. Just remembering how proud she was – a girl from the Bronx, can you believe it? – becoming the longest-running female pro on the show… it got me right in the feels. It was such a powerful moment, hearing her talk about that journey.

In a recent video, Karen announced that she’s leaving Strictly Come Dancing after 14 years. She explained that she’s ready to move on to new opportunities and pursue other things she loves.

Strictly has completely transformed my life, impacting me not just as a performer and teacher, but as a person. I’ve been lucky enough to meet and become friends with amazing people and incredibly talented celebrity partners whom I greatly admire.

I couldn’t have done any of this without the incredible support of my fans. You’ve been with me from the very beginning, when I first arrived in the UK and had no idea what to expect. I’m so thankful you’ve been there to watch me grow and even seen me through all my different hairstyles!

I’ll truly miss everyone who works so hard to make the show happen – the hair and makeup artists, the wardrobe team, the crew, lighting and stage staff, plus all the runners, the band, singers, producers, and the amazing welfare team who look after us all. It takes a lot of brilliant people working together to pull it off, and it’s like a well-oiled machine.

To all my wonderful dance colleagues, I’m sending you my love and support. You’re the very best at what you do! I’ll always cherish my time joining the show 14 years ago, learning from the incredible Bruce Forsyth and Len Goodman – true legends in the field.

‘And to the brilliant Tess and Chloe, maybe now we can finally be ladies who lunch in the autumn. 

I’ll surprisingly even miss being in front of the judges! It’s hard to believe I’ll miss politely smiling even when I didn’t quite agree with them. It’s truly been a privilege to share the dance floor with them.

Finally, I want to thank my friends and family for everything. I love you all very much. This isn’t a farewell – it’s just a see you later, because I’ll always continue to dance.

It’s incredible to think that a girl from the Bronx would go on to become the longest-working female professional dancer on such a beloved British show! I’ll always cherish my time on Strictly, and I’m sending my love to everyone.

Oh my gosh, the BBC finally said something! They put out a statement, and it was so sweet! Basically, they were saying a massive thank you to Karen Hauer for everything she’s done for Strictly over the last 14 years. It was such a heartfelt message, and honestly, she deserves all the praise in the world! I’m still a little heartbroken she’s leaving, but they really acknowledged how amazing she’s been.

Karen is the longest-serving female professional dancer ever on the show, and we’re incredibly thankful for everything she’s contributed. She’s brought amazing passion, creativity, and dedication to every performance throughout the years.

She’s won over audiences with her skill, kindness, and passion for dance, and has created some of the most memorable and uplifting performances in Strictly history.

We’re incredibly grateful for all the wonderful memories and Sarah James’s dedication. She consistently brings both professionalism and a great sense of humour to her work, and we’re excited to see what she accomplishes next. – Sarah James, Executive Producer

Read More

2026-03-21 12:03