She was once the leading lady of Strictly.

Married to show favourite Kevin Clifton, Karen Hauer was the stand-out female star of the programme, quite the achievement when you compete alongside the likes of professionals like Katya Jones and Ola Jordan.

So when Karen Hauer was sensationally axed by Strictly’s boss Sarah James last week, she was shocked. After all, she was not only the longest-serving professional, but the oldest. And, say those familiar with the show, she gave her job ‘her all’.

Karen, I’m told, is distraught but her friends are absolutely incandescent with rage towards the BBC who they today accuse of being both ageist and sexist for sacking Karen, just weeks away from her 44th birthday.

Indeed, she wasn’t alone at being axed: she is part of a wider clear out along with Nadiya Bychkova, 36, Michelle Tsiakkas, 30, Luba Mushtuk, 36, and Gorka Márquez, 35, who were all let go last week too.

Those close to Karen insist those departures are perhaps understandable – Nadiya hasn’t had a celebrity partner for three years, Michelle has a lower profile, Luba also has been celebrity-free recently while Gorka went off to be a judge on the Spanish version of the dance show, Bailando con las Estrellas.

All of which has prompted those close to the Venezuelan beauty to launch a savage attack on the BBC, who they say were happy for Anton Du Beke to keep dancing well into his 50s.

One friend claims that the BBC is sending a ‘poor and worrying message’ to the British public that when women reach their 40s they are no longer fit to star on prime time television.

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Karen Hauer has been part of Strictly Come Dancing for 15 years and was married to fellow professional dancer Kevin Clifton

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Karen is said to be distraught and her friends have launched a fierce attack on the BBC, accusing the corporation of being ageist and sexist

‘The BBC bang on about having older women on their screens but when push comes to shove, it all seems to be nonsense,’ says one friend of the Latino star.

‘Karen is nearly 44 but it’s like the BBC think she’s over the hill. That wasn’t the same with Anton, he was working as a professional dancer until he was 54 and there was no way they were going to axe him from doing that before he became a judge.

‘What message does it send to women? The BBC make out that they are a fair and diverse organisation – but clearly not if you’re a woman in your 40s and your job is to dance. Karen was the only woman over the age of 40 working as a pro on Strictly and she has been sacked. It’s disgusting.’

Indeed, they have compared Karen’s treatment to the fate of Dame Arlene Phillips, who was axed as a judge at the age of 65 in 2008 and replaced by popstar Alesha Dixon 30 years her junior – and who had won the glitter ball the year before.

It caused such a scandal that even Harriet Harman, then Minister for Women and Equality, got involved.

In an extraordinary Government intervention, Labour’s Deputy Leader described the BBC’s decision to replace Dame Arlene as ‘absolutely shocking’ and called for her to be reinstated.

‘It all feels like it’s happening again,’ says one source. ‘Didn’t they learn from Arlene?

‘The BBC make themselves sound nicey-nice to those whom they sack. But it is brutal, Karen has dedicated her life to Strictly, there is no nice way to take it.’

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Karen Hauer at the Pride of Britain Awards in 2023. Friends of the dancer say that she gave her role on Strictly ‘her all’

Karen has certainly made her mark on the show. Her partner on last year’s 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.

Other celebrity partners Karen has performed with include Sunday Brunch host Simon Rimmer and The Only Way Is Essex’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, but their marriage ended after three years. Despite the split, the pair continued to work together on the show. Following Karen and Kevin’s split, he met documentary-maker Stacey Dooley and the pair went on to win Strictly together in December 2018.

Karen is in a new relationship with personal trainer Simon Davidson.

Amid the bloodbath of professional dancers, Strictly fan favourite Katya has come out on top and is expected to sign a brand new contract, which will mark her 10th anniversary on the glitzy dance competition. BBC bosses were reportedly ‘desperate’ to keep the 36-year-old Russian dancer because ‘they know how popular she is with viewers.’

One show source told the Daily Mail: ‘She is not leaving, Katya is remaining on Strictly, the bosses think she’s a legend. They know how much viewers love her and they are also in awe of her choreography talents.’

The current Strictly shake-up comes after hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly quit the series last year. Having made their final appearance in the Christmas special, a search has been underway at the BBC to find new ballroom hosts.

‘It’s simply disgusting that Karen should be treated like this,’ adds the friend. ‘Goodness knows what the viewers will make of it.’