Karen Hauer lands new job after ‘stressful and emotional’ axe from Strictly Come Dancing

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Karen Hauer has landed a new job after she was axed from Striclty Come Dancing.

The 43-year-old dancer was one of many celebrities unexpectedly removed from the show during a recent wave of cuts at the BBC.

According to The Mirror, Karen is doing well after joining the cast of the newly revived comedy play, Stepping Out.

Richard Harris’s play centers around eight individuals from diverse walks of life who come together in a tap dancing class in North London. They form a connection and ultimately perform in a show to raise money for charity. Karen will play the role of Mavis, their dance instructor.

She expressed her excitement about being part of the new production of ‘Stepping Out’.

This play is a really inspiring story about everyday people who accomplish amazing things through dance. Playing their teacher feels very meaningful to me, and I can’t wait to get back into tap dancing! I’m excited to work with such a talented group of performers to create a funny and uplifting show.

Production director Chris Jordan expressed his excitement about Karen joining the cast of ‘Stepping Out’ this summer, predicting a fun experience for both the cast and the audience. He highlighted Karen’s popular background as a dance teacher and mentor on ‘Strictly,’ explaining that her experience makes her perfectly suited for the role.

In March, while at the LitPet’s Sunday Dog Social, Karen shared that being eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing was a ‘very stressful and emotional’ experience.

She’s been going through a really tough and emotional period, and her four dogs have been a huge support. She sees what’s happened as a normal part of life and the challenges that come with it.

Karen’s departure from Strictly Come Dancing followed the exits of several other professional dancers, including Nadiya Bychkova, Michelle Tsiakkas, Luba Mushtuk, and Gorka Márquez. Reports suggest the show’s producers had already decided which pros wouldn’t be continuing on the series.

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

It’s time for a fresh start on Strictly. After many years as a professional dancer on the show, Karen was informed last week that she won’t be returning.

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

I was really worried when I heard what happened to Karen, she was clearly shaken up. But honestly, she’s amazing – she’s determined to look ahead and stay positive. She’s a choreographer, and she’s already talking about throwing herself into that even more, alongside her fitness work. It’s great to see her focusing on what she loves.

Karen’s most recent dance partner on the show was Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, known for his role in Gladiator. Before that, she partnered with ex-footballer Paul Merson, and in 2023, she danced with comedian Eddie Kadi.

In 2022, she demonstrated her range as a choreographer by collaborating with comedian Jayde Adams. This built on the work of Katya Jones, who previously made history as the first female professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing to perform in a same-sex partnership.

Karen has also danced with TV chef Simon Rimmer, who hosts Sunday Brunch, and Mark Wright, a well-known personality from the reality show TOWIE, and one of the first reality stars to join the show.

Karen has been dedicated to Strictly for years, but she hasn’t yet won the competition. Her best result was reaching the final in 2014 with her partner, Mark Wright.

I was really surprised when I heard about Karen and Kevin Clifton splitting up after three years of marriage. It was sad, but I admired how professional they both were, continuing to work together on Strictly even after their personal lives changed. They always seemed so dedicated to the show, and it was clear they could separate their work from their personal feelings.

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2026-04-30 02:18