Karen Hauer is all smiles as she returns to BBC just days after crushing Strictly Come Dancing axe

Strictly Come Dancing’s Karen Hauer was all smiles as she returned to the BBC last night (March 12) following her shock axe from the dance show.

The Daily Mail exclusively reported Karen, who joined Strictly in 2012, was informed of the decision to not renew her contract days ago earlier this week.

Nonetheless, Karen, 43, appeared on the spin-off visual podcast for the latest series of The Apprentice amid the firing ‘bloodbath’, alongside host Angela Scanlon.

As one of the show’s panel guests, Karen appeared in good spirits as she offered up her opinion on Lord Sugar‘s tenth firing, sending contestant Rajan Gill home.

It is thought the podcast episode had been pre-recorded, according to The Sun, as Karen kept a smile on her face and made no reference to leaving Strictly.

Instead, she was announced as still being a ‘Strictly professional dancer’ by host Angela, 42, as she sat beside radio presenter OJ Borg.

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Strictly Come Dancing’s Karen Hauer was all smiles as she returned to the BBC last night (March 12) following her shock axe from the dance show

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Karen was announced as still being a ‘Strictly professional dancer’ by host Angela, 42, as she sat beside radio presenter OJ Borg

It comes after it was revealed Karen was the latest cast member to be sensationally dropped from the hit BBC show, with insiders claiming the entire line-up of professional dancers could be set for a major overhaul.

Karen – the show’s longest-serving female professional – has performed on the programme for 13 years. She was informed of the decision in recent days.

Nadiya Bychkova, 36, Michelle Tsiakkas, 30, Luba Mushtuk, 36, and Gorka Márquez, 35, were also axed from the series, with sources claiming all of the Strictly pros are already aware of their fate.

One insider said: ‘Karen is the latest professional dancer to be told her contract will not be renewed this year.

‘It’s very much a case of out with the old and in with the new. As the longest-serving female dancer, Karen found out last week that her time on Strictly is over.’

A second source added: ‘It’s an awful fate for the professional dancers who have dedicated their careers to the show.

‘Karen was obviously very upset after being told the news, but she is trying to remain positive about the future. She works as a choreographer and knows she can focus more on that, as well as her work in the fitness industry.

‘It’s also looking increasingly likely that Aljaž Škorjanec will not return, while Carlos Gu and Johannes Radebe have been given the green light to stay.’

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Karen kept a smile on her face and made no reference to leaving Strictly

Yesterday, her former dance partner Simon Rimmer has shared that he is ‘absolutely gutted’ as he responded to the news that she has been axed from the show.

The Sunday Brunch host who danced with Karen in 2017, took to Instagram to share his sadness after her contract wasn’t renewed by bosses and paid tribute to his ‘friend for life’.

Alongside a photo from their time on Strictly, Simon wrote: ‘Absolutely gutted that the very best teacher and dancer @karenhauer has been axed from @bbcstrictly – thanks for everything Karen.’

Karen’s last celebrity partner on the series was Gladiator star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, while the year before she danced with former footballer Paul Merson and, in 2023, comedian Eddie Kadi.

She showcased her versatility as a choreographer by performing with comic Jayde Adams in 2022, following on from Katya Jones, who was the first Strictly female pro to perform in a same-sex pairing.

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Strictly’s Karen Hauer’s former dance partner Simon Rimmer has said he is ‘absolutely gutted’ as he addressed her axing amid huge show shake-up  (pictured together in 2017)

Other celebrity partners Karen has performed with included TOWIE’s Mark Wright, one of the first reality stars signed to the show.

Despite her long-standing commitment, Karen has never won the Strictly glitterball trophy, though she did reach the final with Mark in 2014.

Karen was previously married to former Strictly pro Kevin Clifton, but their marriage ended after three years. Despite the split, the pair continued to work together on the show.

The Daily Mail has contacted Karen’s spokesperson for comment.

Sources suggest bosses are aiming for an entirely fresh start following years of criticism and controversy surrounding the professional dancers.

Elsewhere, Neil Jones, 43, who has rarely had a celebrity dance partner on the show, will also go without one this year, as will Nancy Xu, 34.

It’s believed they may still appear in the big group dance numbers.