The professional dancer confirmed her exit from the BBC One dance show after 14 years
Karen Hauer has shared the real reason for her Strictly Come Dancing exit, which she kept secret from her co-stars so she wouldn’t change her mind about leaving.
The Venezuela-born professional dancer joined the hit BBC One show back in 2012, and over the years, she has had several celebrity dance partners, including former The Only Way Is Essex star Mark Wright, broadcaster Jeremy Vine, and Made In Chelsea alum Jamie Laing.
But Karen, who was Strictly’s longest-serving professional dancer after 14 years on the entertainment show, confirmed in March that she would not be returning to the dance floor ahead of the 2026 series, set to get underway later this year.
She wasn’t the only pro to confirm their exit from Strictly, with Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk, Michelle Tsiakkas and Gorka Marquez also going on to confirm their departure from the popular competition programme.
And while questions were asked by fans as to whether the decision to leave was the dancers’ own, Karen has confirmed the reason behind her own exit.
Speaking to the Mirror, she shared: “It was very emotional, but it did feel like I was ready to get my teeth stuck into other projects and continue evolving. I learned so much from every single celebrity that I came across.” She added: “It’s always about growth. It was a beautiful decision that came from a good place in my heart.”
Karen also told how she decided to keep her decision quiet from everyone, including her fellow pros, except her very closest pals, as she knew they would try to convince her to stay.
“I didn’t say anything because I know it would have been hard for them to digest and they’d have been like, ‘No, definitely no, not you,’” she laughed. “I kept it within my tightest circle. But you know what? When I announced it, I’ve never felt such an outpouring of love. So many people were reaching out to me, and just being so kind.”
She later added that despite her exit: “Strictly will always be my home, you know? I will always have a deep connection to it, no matter what.”
Meanwhile, after months of speculation, it was finally announced in May who would be taking over the presenting roles on Strictly, which were left vacant following the exits of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman at the end of the 2025 series in December.
A number of names were linked to the role, including BBC stars Zoe Ball and Rylan Clark, before it was confirmed on Tuesday (May 19) that Emma would be one of the new hosts, alongside comedian Josh Widdicombe and professional dancer Johannes Radebe.
The news was shared on the show’s Instagram page with the caption: “It’s official…September 2026,” and speaking about the history-making trio, as Strictly has never been hosted by more than two people, for the first time, Kate Phillips, the BBC’s chief content officer, said that their “chemistry is undeniable”.
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