Strictly Come Dancing professional Karen Hauer has opened up about the axing rumours surrounding the show after confirming her own exit.
The Venezuelan star, 43, joined the BBC flagship show in 2012 and became its longest-serving pro after Anton Du Beke moved over to judging duties.
During her time, she was partnered with celebrities such as Simon Rimmer, Eddie Kadi, Jayde Adams, Chris Ramsey, and, most recently, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey. While she never lifted the trophy, Karen reached the final with Mark Wright in 2014.
It’s fair to say Karen was a hugely popular member of the family among viewers, meaning the fallout was all the more emotional on Saturday when she announced it felt like ‘the right time for [her] to close this chapter and take on new projects’.
Fans had already anticipated sad news from Karen, whose name was thrown out weeks ago in reports of a ‘mass cull’ of professionals. Other pros who have allegedly been dropped are Luba Mushtuk, Nadiya Bychkova, Gorka Márquez, and Michelle Tsiakkas.
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Addressing the tumultuous period for the first time, Karen has now admitted it’s been ‘stressful’, revealing the one thing that has kept her going.
Putting in a smiley appearance at the LitPet’s Sunday Dog Social in London over the weekend, she was accompanied by pooch Marley, one of her four rescue dogs, whom she often shares snaps of on social media.
Speaking about her recent career shift, she said, as per the Daily Mail: ‘It’s been a terribly stressful and emotional time, and my four dogs have really helped me get through it.
‘What’s just happened is part of life and the stresses that go with it.’
‘My dogs really feel it when I’m stressed, and they have really helped me get through this,’ she added.
Sources previously said that Karen was ‘obviously very upset’ after being informed by bosses that her Strictly contract would not be renewed.
They added, though, that she was keen to ‘remain positive about the future’.
‘She works as a choreographer and knows she can focus more on that, as well as her work in the fitness industry.’
Still, it’s thought to have been an ‘awful’ time for Karen, plus Luba, 36, Nadiya, Gorka, 35, and Michelle, 30, after landing on the chopping block.
As a result, relative newcomer Michelle pulled out of the Professionals Live Tour, Luba has effectively ‘gone into hiding’ and isn’t taking calls, while Nadiya is ‘distraught’.
‘It’s very much a case of out with the old and in with the new,’ it was claimed, while a second insider teased that Aljaž Škorjanec may also not return, while Carlos Gu and Johannes Radebe ‘have been given the green light to stay’.
Further reports have speculated that Nancy Xu and Neil Jones have been dealt blows ahead of the 2026 season, too, as they have been ‘benched’ and therefore will not be assigned a celeb partner.
The two will still feature in group numbers, but the same cannot be said for the stars who are scrapped from the lineup entirely.
When contacted for a comment, a BBC spokesperson simply told Metro that plans for the upcoming series will be announced ‘in due course’.
This year was already due to be one of change for Strictly, as Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman bowed out as hosts in December, feeling it was the ‘right time’ and that they always planned to ‘go together’.
Speculation has been rife for months over who will take their spots, with some sources even claiming a third presenter could be added to the mix.
Do you think Strictly needs a shake-up?
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Yes, it needs fresh faces
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No, I like things as they are
As per The Sun, execs want to give the long-running dance competition a ‘shake-up’ to mark the start of a ‘new chapter’ following various scandals.
It’s thought that chemistry tests for the next presenters were meant to happen in January, but they’ve been pushed back to April.
Currently, BBC bosses reportedly have a list of seven names they are considering. It’s been whittled down from 10 after Alan Carr, Amanda Holden, and Alan Carr ruled themselves out.
Now, the shortlist comprises Zoe Ball, Alison Hammond, Rylan Clark, Alex Jones, Emma Willis, Fleur East, and Angela Scanlon.
Sources reckon ‘nothing is off the table when it comes to sprinkling new magic over Strictly.’
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