Karen Hauer, the longest-serving female professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing, has been dropped from the BBC programme after 13 years, according to reports.
The 43-year-old Venezuelan-American performer, who joined the show in 2012, is said to have learned of the decision within the past week.
Karen Hauer left last year’s series alongside Harry Aikines-Aryeetey
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BBC
An insider told the Daily Mail: “Karen is the latest professional dancer to be told her contract will not be renewed this year.”
Ms Hauer’s representatives have been contacted by GB News. The BBC has said that any decisions on the 2026 series will be announced in “due course.”
The source characterised the situation as “very much a case of out with the old and in with the new,” adding that Ms Hauer discovered last week her tenure on the programme had concluded.
A second insider described the circumstances as “an awful fate for the professional dancers who have dedicated their careers to the show.”
Karen Hauer is the longest-serving Strictly dancer
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BBC
Despite being understandably distressed by the news, Ms Hauer is reportedly attempting to maintain an optimistic perspective about what lies ahead.
On Tuesday morning, just hours before the reports emerged, Ms Hauer took to Instagram with a sweet update alongside her pet dogs.
“Joey & Marley working the camera… Too early for Phoebe and I to be bothered,” the dancer said alongside the smiley snap.
While some of her followers rushed to comment on the canine-themed update, others reached out to the dancer regarding the news of her supposed axe.
Karen Hauer with Dave Myers back in 2013
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PA
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“I really hope the news I’ve just read isn’t true,” one follower penned. “What a huge loss to the show this will be. I honestly can’t see how much longer the show will last if it continues to cut loyal and fan favourite pros.”
Elsewhere, a second similarly commented: “So sad if the news is true.”
“I just saw the news. Legit question, has someone behind the scenes of strictly had a sudden mental breakdown and now they are sacking everyone?” a third queried. (sic)
Meanwhile, the source noted Ms Hauer has established herself as a choreographer and intends to concentrate more heavily on that work, alongside her involvement in the fitness industry.
Her current partner is personal trainer Simon Davidson.
The insider also alleged that Aljaž Škorjanec appears increasingly unlikely to return, whilst Carlos Gu and Johannes Radebe have reportedly been given approval to continue.
Throughout her Strictly career, Ms Hauer partnered with numerous celebrities, including Gladiator star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey in her most recent series, former footballer Paul Merson, and comedian Eddie Kadi in 2023.
She demonstrated her range as a choreographer by performing with comic Jayde Adams in 2022 in a same-sex pairing, following Katya Jones, who was the first female professional to do so on the programme.
Nadiya Bychkova is among the Strictly stars set to leave
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PAOther notable partners included Sunday Brunch presenter Simon Rimmer and Towie star Mark Wright, among the earliest reality television personalities to appear on the show.
Despite her lengthy commitment to the programme, Ms Hauer has never claimed the Glitterball Trophy, though she reached the final alongside Mr Wright in 2014.
The sweeping changes extend beyond the professional dancers, coming in the wake of hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly stepping down from the programme last year after more than a decade presenting together.
Sources indicate that executives are determined to establish an entirely fresh direction following years of criticism and controversy surrounding the show.
Lube Mushtuk (left) has also reportedly been axed
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BBCThe pair announced their departure in a joint statement, describing their time hosting Strictly as “an absolute dream” and confirming they had always intended to leave together.
Elsewhere, Neil Jones and Nancy Xu will reportedly remain with the programme but without celebrity partners, potentially appearing only in group dance routines.
