Karen Hauer, Strictly Come Dancing's longest-serving female professional dancer, left the show after 14 years and more than 100 routines. She is now aiming for the role of Anita in West Side Story and has already started a new chapter on stage.
Departure and new ambitions
When Strictly returns on Saturday 19 September, it will be the first time in 14 years that Hauer is not part of the line-up. It will also be the first time she watches the show live. "I've never watched it live - I was always in it," she said.
Hauer, who was on the programme from 2012 to 2025, announced her exit in a social media statement in March. She is not the only high-profile departure: hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly have left, as have professional dancers Gorka Márquez, Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk and Michelle Tsiakkas. "Things have to evolve. Whether people like it or not," she said.
New projects and personal life
Hauer is now playing teacher Mavis in the Richard Harris comedy Stepping Out at Devonshire Park Theatre in Eastbourne until the end of April, before a tour until the end of September. She will then play the Wicked Queen in Snow White at The Princess Theatre, Torquay, in December and January.
She said she had been preparing mentally for the Strictly exit for a long time. "I'm doing great, I'm really happy. I'm going to miss Strictly, but I'm definitely enjoying my new chapter." She was also surprised by the fan reaction to her departure: "I've never felt so much love. I made such an impact without even actually knowing. I was shocked."
Hauer has been married three times: to dancer Matthew Hauer from 2000 to 2009, to fellow Strictly professional Kevin Clifton from 2015 to 2018, and to fitness professional Jordan Wyn-Jones from 2022 to 2023. She now lives near Preston, Greater Manchester, with her boyfriend of three years, rugby player Simon Davidson, and four rescue dogs: Betty, Phoebe, Marley and Joe.
Looking ahead
In November, Hauer will host the Burns Bravery Awards, where the pet nutrition brand is asking people to nominate Britain's Bravest Dogs. Research from Burns Pet Nutrition shows three-quarters of owners say they turn to their dog after a bad day. "My rescue dogs are the best thing to ever happen to me," she said.
Hauer reached the Strictly final twice, with partners Jamie Laing and Mark Wright, but never won. She said she was "winning every year just being there", adding: "It's the moments that bring a smile to people's faces and make them go, 'That was really funny', that I'll remember the most."
