Karen Hauer is AXED in Strictly bloodbath: Longest-serving female pro dancer is sacked in major lineup shake-up

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Sources confirm to the Daily Mail that professional dancer Karen Hauer will not be returning to Strictly Come Dancing.

The 43-year-old celebrity is the newest cast member removed from the popular BBC show, and sources suggest the show may significantly change its team of professional dancers.

Karen, who has been a professional dancer on the show since 2012, recently learned she won’t be returning after 13 years. She’s the longest-serving female professional the show has ever had.

Nadiya Bychkova, Michelle Tsiakkas, Luba Mushtuk, and Gorka Márquez – all professional dancers on the show – have also been let go, and sources say all the pros knew this was coming.

According to a source, Karen is the newest professional dancer whose contract won’t be renewed this year.

It’s time for a fresh start on Strictly. After many years as the show’s longest-serving female dancer, Karen learned last week that she will not be returning.

Another source said it’s heartbreaking for the professional dancers who have built their careers around the show.

Karen was clearly distressed by the news, but she’s determined to stay optimistic. She’s a choreographer and plans to dedicate more time to her creative work, alongside her existing fitness career.

Aljaž Škorjanec probably won’t be back, but Carlos Gu and Johannes Radebe are confirmed to return.

Karen most recently partnered with Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, the star of Gladiator, on the show. Before that, she danced with former footballer Paul Merson and, in 2023, comedian Eddie Kadi.

In 2022, she demonstrated her range as a choreographer by collaborating with comedian Jayde Adams. This followed Katya Jones’ groundbreaking performance as the first female professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing to perform in a same-sex partnership.

Karen has also danced with TV personality Simon Rimmer, from Sunday Brunch, and Mark Wright, who was one of the first stars from the reality show TOWIE to join the competition.

Karen has been dedicated to Strictly for years, but she hasn’t yet won the competition. She came closest in 2014, making it to the final with her partner Mark Wright.

Karen was once married to Kevin Clifton, who used to be a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing, but they divorced after three years. Even after their split, they continued to collaborate on the show.

The Daily Mail has contacted Karen’s spokesperson for comment.

After Karen and Kevin separated, Kevin met documentary filmmaker Stacey Dooley while they both competed on and won Strictly Come Dancing in December 2018.

The couple are now parents to a daughter named Minnie, and Karen is currently dating Simon Davidson, a personal trainer.

This change to Strictly Come Dancing follows the departure of hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly, who left the show last year.

Leaders are reportedly planning a complete reset after years of complaints and issues with the show’s dancers.

Both Neil Jones, 43, and Nancy Xu, 34, will be paired with non-celebrity partners this season, continuing a trend for both dancers who haven’t often been matched with stars on the show.

They might still be featured in the large group dances, but professional dancers like Nadiya, Gorka, Luba, Michelle, and Karen will not be participating this season.

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2026-03-10 12:49