Strictly Come Dancing's longest-serving female professional dancer, Karen Hauer, has announced she is leaving the show after 14 years. The Venezuelan-born dancer posted an emotional video on Instagram, saying it was 'the right time to close this chapter and take on new projects in other areas I'm passionate about'.
Hauer, who moved to New York City at the age of eight, said Strictly 'completely changed my life, not only as a performer and a teacher but as a human being'. She thanked fans and said she would miss 'even standing in front of the judges... smiling politely while sometimes secretly disagreeing'.
Hauer first appeared on Strictly in 2012, paired with Westlife singer Nicky Byrne. She later reached the finals with Mark Wright in 2014 and finished second with Jamie Laing in 2019. She described meeting former host Bruce Forsyth and judge Len Goodman as 'incredible legends'.
Before Strictly, Hauer trained at the Martha Graham school of contemporary dance from age nine, winning a scholarship. She said dancing was an escape during her childhood, allowing her to express emotions when she felt unable to do so otherwise.
