Karen Hauer has posted an emotional message to her Strictly co-star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey after the pair became the sixth couple eliminated from the 2025 series of Strictly Come Dancing.
The 37-year-old Team GB athlete left the competition with his pro-dancer partner after landing in the dance-off against RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star La Voix and Aljaž Škorjanec.
La Voix and Mr Škorjanec performed their Foxtrot to Make Your Own Kind of Music by Cass Elliot, before Mr Aikines-Aryeetey and Ms Hauer danced a Samba to Samba by Gloria Estefan.
After both couples danced again, Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, and Craig Revel Horwood all chose to save La Voix and Mr Škorjanec.
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and Karen Hauer were the sixth couple eliminated from the 2025 series of Strictly Come Dancing
|BBC
Motsi Mabuse, who held the casting vote this week, agreed, despite branding it the most “difficult” dance-off of the series so far.
Upon learning his fate, Mr Aikines-Aryeetey turned to his dance partner and said: “First thing, I just want to thank Karen. Genuinely, you have given me an opportunity to shine.
“You've understood my crazy brain. I'm such a logical person, trying to dance and obviously, you know, doing what I do, Olympic sprinter, Gladiator, now I'm trying to be a dancer.
“And I just want to thank you so much for the time and effort. The hard work that you've put into me. You show up, you turn out...this has been a dream come true.”
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and Karen Hauer faced La Voix and Aljaž Škorjanec in the dance-off on Sunday
|BBC
The sprinter's fellow castmates could be heard shouting from the balcony: “We love you, Harry!”
Soon after their departure, Ms Hauer posted her own tribute to her co-star on Instagram. “@aikines, I couldn’t be prouder. Your little girl will be so proud of her daddy," she began.
“Seven weeks of hard work, laughter and non-stop fun… what a journey it’s been! Sharing this experience with you will always stay with me and I know I’ve got a friend for life.
“Thank you for everything… and thank you to everyone who supported us along the way.” (sic)
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The pair's exit comes as speculation continues to stir online as to whether last night was Ms Hauer's final performance with Mr Aikines-Aryeetey.
Rumours have been rife that Ms Hauer, who is the longest-serving pro dancer, could be leaving the show given that the dancer is not currently part of the pro tour lineup next year.
That wouldn't be the only shake-up this year, as Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman both announced their shock exits from the show ahead of next series.
Strictly stars soon flooded the show’s Instagram page with support.
Amber Davies, who remains in the competition with her partner Nikita Kuzmin, called Mr Aikines-Aryeetey “a true gent."
Reigning champion Dianne Buswell shared a heart emoji, while former contestant Amy Dowden, who was recently forced to withdraw from the show entirely due to health difficulties, wrote: “Sad to see you both go! Sending lots of love @karenhauer @aikines”.
“I will miss you brother @aikines”, Lewis Cope added, and pro dancer Gorka Márquez said: “So sad to see you go! But you should be proud.”
Vicky Pattison, who topped the leaderboard alongside her pro partner, Kai Widdrington, echoed the sentiment, writing: “A legend... you will be missed son.”
Karen Hauer is not currently part of the pro tour lineup next year
| BBCFans also weighed in online, with many disagreeing with the judges’ verdict. “Anyone else genuinely shocked by that decision!? Harry was much better! What a shame!” one viewer wrote on Instagram.
Meanwhile, another said: “I didn’t agree with the decision and I was surprised that it was unanimous.”
Others criticised La Voix and Mr Škorjanec's performance, with one comment reading: “Were we watching (and judging) the same dance off?! La Voix could barely be bothered to move.”
A second added: “I personally feel like La Voix should have gone, the judges made a mistake!”