Karen Hauer quits Strictly Come Dancing after 14 years

By Pol Allingham, Press Association

Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Karen Hauer has quit the show after 14 years.

She announced it is “the right time to close this chapter and take on new projects in other areas I’m passionate about” on Saturday morning.

The Venezuela-born dancer addressed former co-hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly, who stepped down last year, saying “maybe now we can finally be ladies who lunch in the Autumn”.

In a video shared to her Instagram account, she told her followers: “Strictly completely changed my life, not only as a performer and a teacher but as a human being.

“I’ve had the privilege of meeting so many incredible people and brilliant celebrity partners who have become close friends and people I admire so much.”

Her Strictly career started paired with Westlife’s Nicky Byrne in 2012.

She has also partnered with former The Only Way Is Essex star Mark Wright, broadcaster Jeremy Vine, and Made In Chelsea’s Jamie Laing.

And to the brilliant Tess and Claudia, maybe we can finally be ladies who lunch in the Autumn

Hauer thanked her fans who have “witnessed all of my different hairstyles” and the Strictly crew including the welfare team who “take such good care of us”.

“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.”

She added: “I’ll even miss standing front of the judges, can you believe that? Smiling politely while sometimes secretly disagreeing – it’s been an honour to share the ballroom with them.”

The award-winning dancer became emotional as she said: “Who would’ve thought that a young girl from the Bronx would end up becoming the longest serving female professional dancer on a British TV institution.”