END OF AN ERA: STRICTLY COME DANCING SAYS GOODBYE TO FAN-FAVOURITE KAREN HAUER AFTER 14 YEARS — AS THE LONGEST-SERVING FEMALE PROFESSIONAL CLOSES A MAJOR CHAPTER

The beloved professional dancer has announced her departure from the BBC dance show, saying it is the “right time” to move on to new projects — bringing an emotional end to one of the longest careers in the Strictly ballroom.

After 14 years of sequins, spectacular routines, celebrity partnerships and unforgettable Saturday nights, Karen Hauer is stepping away from Strictly Come Dancing.

The Venezuelan-American dancer confirmed her departure in an emotional message to fans, bringing an end to her remarkable run as the show’s longest-serving female professional dancer.

For viewers who watched her journey from her very first appearance to her final series, the announcement marks the end of a familiar face in the Strictly ballroom.

“THE RIGHT TIME TO CLOSE THIS CHAPTER”

Karen announced her decision in a video shared with followers, explaining that she felt it was time to move forward and explore other projects.

She said Strictly had completely changed her life — not only as a performer and teacher, but also as a person.

Over 14 years, she said she had been fortunate enough to meet “incredible people” and work with celebrity partners who eventually became close friends and people she deeply admired.

Rather than describing the move as a complete goodbye, Karen made clear that dancing would remain an important part of her life.

She said she would continue dancing and suggested that this was simply the closing of one chapter rather than the end of her relationship with the world of dance.

FROM THE BRONX TO THE STRICTLY BALLROOM

Karen’s journey to Strictly began long before she became a household name in Britain.

Born in Venezuela and raised in New York, she began dancing at a young age and received a scholarship to the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance when she was just nine.

She later moved to Britain in 2010 with the touring dance production Burn the Floor.

Two years later, she joined Strictly Come Dancing.

Karen’s first celebrity partner was Westlife singer Nicky Byrne, with the pair reaching the quarter-finals.

She went on to dance with numerous celebrities throughout her Strictly career, including Mark Wright, Jamie Laing, Paul Merson and Harry Aikines-Aryeetey.

Her partnership with Mark Wright took her to the final in 2014, while she and Jamie Laing finished as runners-up in 2019.

She also became part of Strictly history through one of the show’s same-sex partnerships when she danced with comedian Jayde Adams in 2022.

14 YEARS OF MEMORIES

Karen’s time on the programme spanned several generations of Strictly.

When she first joined, the show was fronted by the late Sir Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly, while Len Goodman was among the judges.

Reflecting on those early years, Karen remembered meeting and learning from what she described as incredible legends of the programme.

She also thanked the show’s crew and welfare team, as well as the fans who had watched her evolve over the years.

In an emotional moment, she joked that viewers had even witnessed her many different hairstyles throughout her Strictly journey.

But behind the humour was a clear sense of gratitude for everything the show had given her.

“THE LONGEST-SERVING FEMALE PROFESSIONAL”

Strictly executive producer Sarah James paid tribute to Karen following the announcement.

She described Karen as the longest-serving female professional dancer in the history of the show, praising her passion, creativity and dedication.

The programme also credited her with creating memorable partnerships and joyful routines across her years in the ballroom.

For fans, however, Karen’s legacy is about more than statistics.

She became one of the dancers audiences recognised instantly — known for her powerful performances, distinctive personality and emotional connection with her celebrity partners.

A BIGGER STRICTLY SHAKE-UP

Karen’s departure is not happening in isolation.

The 2026 series has brought significant changes to the Strictly Come Dancing line-up.

Five professional dancers — Karen Hauer, Gorka Márquez, Michelle Tsiakkas, Nadiya Bychkova and Luba Mushtuk — have left the programme.

The BBC confirmed that new professionals would be brought in to join the returning dancers.

At the same time, the show has also undergone a major presenting change, with Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe taking over hosting duties after Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman stepped down.

Despite the wider shake-up, the judging panel itself remains unchanged for 2026, with Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke returning.

WHO COULD FILL HER PLACE?

Karen’s departure naturally leaves fans wondering what the Strictly ballroom will look like without one of its most recognisable professional dancers.

But replacing 14 years of history is about more than simply finding another dancer.

The BBC has already introduced new professional talent to the 2026 line-up, signalling that the programme is entering a new era rather than simply attempting to recreate the old one.

Karen herself appears ready to embrace that next chapter.

Her message to fans was filled less with regret than gratitude — gratitude for the people she met, the celebrities she danced with, the crew who supported her and the viewers who followed her journey.

And although her Strictly chapter has closed, her relationship with dance clearly has not.

After 14 years, countless routines and a place in Strictly history, Karen Hauer is leaving the ballroom — but she is not leaving dance behind.

For the millions who watched her grow from a young professional into one of the show’s defining female dancers, it is the end of an era that will be remembered long after the final music stops.