Karen Hauer has announced her departure from Strictly Come Dancing, bringing to an end her 14-year tenure as the BBC programme's longest-serving professional dancer.
The Venezuelan-American performer confirmed her exit in an emotional video message, revealing she had chosen to step away from the ballroom.
"After 14 years on Strictly Come Dancing I've decided it's the right time for me to close this chapter and take on new projects in other areas that I'm passionate about," Hauer stated.
Her departure had been reported earlier this month as part of sweeping changes affecting the show, which has seen multiple established professional dancers removed from the lineup.
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The programme has also lost its presenting duo, with Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly having announced their resignations last year.
Hauer reflected on how the show had transformed her life, describing its impact on her development "not only as a performer and a teacher but as a human being."
She added: "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."
The dancer paid particular tribute to viewers who had supported her throughout her journey, saying: "You've been there since day one when I just moved to the UK and had no idea what I was getting myself into."
Karen Hauer has announced her departure from Strictly Come Dancing, bringing to an end her 14-year tenure as the BBC programme's longest-serving professional dancer
|GETTY
She humorously said she was grateful fans had "witnessed all of my different hairstyles."
"To my fellow professional dancers who I adore I will always be cheering you on.
"Strictly will always be in my heart. I love you all."
Strictly's executive producer Sarah James issued a statement praising Hauer's contribution to the programme.
"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," James said.
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Karen Hauer (left) had her best-ever Strictly finish in 2020, when she came second with former Made in Chelsea star Jamie Laing
|PA
The executive producer highlighted Hauer's ability to captivate audiences through her talent and warmth, crediting her with creating "some of the most iconic partnerships and joyous routines the Strictly dance floor has ever seen."
"Her professionalism and sense of humour shine through everything she achieves and we can't wait to see where her next chapter takes her," James added.
Despite the warm tribute from the show's producers, viewers responded with sharp criticism on social media.
Fans took to Strictly's Instagram account to voice their displeasure at the scale of changes affecting the programme.
"Huge loss to the show and I fear a lot of people won't tune in to watch if we have more of the og cast gone," one viewer wrote.
Another declared: "At this rate i won't be watching Strictly."
Several commenters warned the BBC that implementing so many alterations simultaneously risked alienating the audience.
One fan argued that introducing new presenters represented a significant shift on its own, suggesting producers should have allowed viewers to adjust before making further changes to the professional dancer lineup.
"The audience don't like too many changes at once this may turn out to be a costly mistake," they cautioned.
During her 14 years on the hit show, Hauer has never won the Glitterball trophy.
Her most fruitful campaign came in 2020, when she finished second alongside Made in Chelsea star Jamie Laing.
The BBC is yet to confirm if any more dancers will be leaving the Strictly family.
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