Professional dancer Karen Hauer has announced she is quitting Strictly Come Dancing after 14 years.
Hauer is the longest-serving female dancer to have been the BBC show – she joined in 2012.
She started the video: ‘Hey everyone, I’ve got something to tell you. It’s a tough one, but here we go.
‘After 14 years on Strictly Come Dancing, I’ve decided this is the right time for me to close this chapter and take on new projects in other areas that I’m passionate about.’
The news comes after it was rumoured that Hauer had been axed ahead of the upcoming series.
Get personalised updates on Strictly
Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro’s TV Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we’ll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you.
Hauer updated fans via Instagram, where she posted a video with her message.
She went on: ‘I’ll never forget joining the show 14 years ago with Sir Bruce Forsyth and Len Goodman, and learning from such incredible legends along the way.
‘And to the brilliant Tess and Claudia. Maybe now we can finally be ladies who lunch in the autumn.’
Hauer got emotional towards the end of her video as she reflected on how far she had come: ‘Who would have thought that a young girl from the Bronx would end up becoming the longest-serving female professional dancer on a British TV institution?’
Support has flooded her comments, with well wishes from fans and colleagues.
Judge Motsi Mabuse wrote: ‘Love you dear all the best.’
The pro dancer has been paired with the likes of Ainsley Harriott, Dave Myers and Chris Ramsay during her time on the competition series.
Sarah James, Executive Producer of the BBC flagship show, said in a statement to Metro: ‘We would like to say a huge and heartfelt thank you to Karen Hauer for her incredible contribution to Strictly Come Dancing over the last 14 years.
‘As the longest-serving female professional dancer in the history of the show, Karen has given so much of herself and her time to the programme, and we are extremely grateful for the passion, creativity and dedication she has brought to every single performance.
‘She has captivated audiences with her talent, warmth and genuine love of dance and has been responsible for some of the most iconic partnerships and joyous routines the Strictly dance floor has ever seen.
‘We thank her for all these memorable moments and for her incredible work ethic. Her professionalism and sense of humour shine through everything she achieves and we can’t wait to see where her next chapter takes her.’
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.