Strictly Come Dancing legend officially confirms exit after 14 years

Strictly Come Dancing will not feature Karen Hauer this year, as both the BBC and Hauer have confirmed she’s leaving the show.

Rumors circulated that Joanne Clifton, the longest-running female professional dancer on the show, would not be returning after reports of several professional dancers being let go.

Today, March 21st, Strictly Come Dancing’s executive producer, Sarah James, announced a heartfelt thank you to Karen Hauer for her amazing 14 years with the show. As the longest-serving female professional dancer ever, Karen has dedicated herself to the program, and we are incredibly grateful for the passion, creativity, and hard work she brought to every dance.

She’s won over audiences with her skill, kindness, and passion for dance, creating some of the most memorable and uplifting performances in Strictly history.

We’re so grateful for all the wonderful memories and her dedication. She brings both professionalism and a great sense of humor to everything she does, and we’re excited to see what she accomplishes next.

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Karen announced on Instagram that she’s leaving Strictly Come Dancing after 14 years. She explained that she feels it’s the right moment to move on to new projects she’s excited about.

Being on Strictly transformed my life, both professionally and personally. I’ve been lucky enough to meet and become friends with amazing people and talented celebrity partners whom I deeply admire.

I couldn’t have done any of this without the incredible support of my fans. You’ve been with me from the very beginning, when I first arrived in the UK and was completely new to everything. I’m so thankful you’ve watched me develop and seen all my different looks over the years.

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I’ve been watching Hauer on this show for ages, and she’s danced with some amazing partners – Mark Wright, Charles Venn, Chris Ramsey, and most recently, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey. It’s incredible, but after 14 seasons, she still hasn’t taken home the trophy!

I was so gutted for her when she came second in 2020 with Jamie Laing – they were so close to winning the Glitterball! It’s been lovely seeing all the support flooding in on her posts. Even the judges and fellow pros are sending heartfelt messages – Motsi Mabuse wrote she loved her and wished her all the best, and Johannes Radebe said there’s absolutely no one like her, calling her ‘mamasita’! It’s clear she’s loved by everyone she’s worked with.

The BBC hasn’t said whether any other dancers are leaving Strictly Come Dancing, but sources say details about the 2026 season will be revealed soon.

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Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One and iPlayer later this year.

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Katelyn MensahSenior Entertainment Writer

Katelyn Mensah writes about entertainment for TopMob, covering everything from popular TV shows and reality competitions to important documentaries. Before joining TopMob, she worked at The Tab, where she reported on reality TV and celebrity news. She has a journalism degree.

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2026-03-21 13:34

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