Karen Hauer

Karen Hauer (formerly Clifton; born 20 April 1982) is a Venezuelan–American professional Latin dance specialist and World Mambo Champion, best known for appearing on the British television series Strictly Come Dancing. She was the longest-serving female professional dancer on the show, appearing from 2012 until 2025. She also featured on the American TV series So You Think You Can Dance and was a principal dancer in the touring live dance show Burn the Floor.

So You Think You Can Dance In 2009, Hauer auditioned for season 6 of the US reality show So You Think You Can Dance. She originally auditioned with her husband at the time, Matthew Hauer, but he was eliminated during Vegas week while Karen moved on to the top 20.

Strictly Come Dancing

Hauer joined Strictly Come Dancing as a professional dancer in 2012, partnering Westlife singer Nicky Byrne for the tenth series. They reached the quarter-finals in week 10, before losing the dance-off to Denise van Outen and her partner James Jordan.

Hauer returned for the eleventh series in 2013 to partner television chef Dave Myers; they were voted out of the competition in week 7, after losing the dance-off to Mark Benton and Iveta Lukosiute.

For the twelfth series, she was paired with television personality Mark Wright; they made it to the final, coming in 4th place.

For the thirteenth series, she was partnered with broadcaster Jeremy Vine; they were eliminated in Week 8 after losing a dance-off with Jamelia and Tristan MacManus.

For the fourteenth series in 2016, Hauer was paired with the singer Will Young, who withdrew from the competition after the third week.

In 2016, Hauer won the Children in Need Special with the taekwondo athlete Lutalo Muhammad. She danced with the celebrity chef Ainsley Harriott for the 2016 Christmas special.

In the fifteenth series in 2017, Hauer partnered television chef Simon Rimmer; they were eliminated in 11th place.

She was paired with actor Charles Venn for the sixteenth series in 2018; they reached the quarter-finals.

For the nineteenth series in 2021, she was partnered with actor Greg Wise. The couple were eliminated in Week 4.

For the twentieth series in 2022, she was partnered with comedian Jayde Adams. The couple were eliminated in Week 5 after losing the dance off to Molly Rainford and Carlos Gu.

For the twenty-first series in 2023, she was partnered with comedian and DJ Eddie Kadi. The couple were eliminated in Week 5 after losing the dance off to Zara McDermott and Graziano Di Prima.

For the twenty-second series in 2024, she was partnered with footballer and pundit Paul Merson. The couple were eliminated in Week 5 after losing in the dance-off to JB Gill and Amy Dowden with all judges voting against them. She appeared in the 2024 Christmas special, dancing a charleston with Josh Widdicombe to the song "Let It Snow" while dressed as a penguin.

For the twenty-third series, she was paired with Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and the pair were the sixth couple to be eliminated.

In March 2026, it was announced that Hauer would be departing the show after 14 years, along with several other professional dancers, making her the longest serving female professional at the time of her departure. Speaking on her exit she said, "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."

Highest and lowest scoring performances per dance Dance Partner Highest Partner Lowest American Smooth Jayde Adams 31 Simon Rimmer 16 Argentine Tango Nicky ByrneHarry Aikines-Aryeetey 30 Cha Cha Cha Mark Wright 35 Chris Ramsey 13 Charleston Nicky ByrneMark Wright 36 Simon Rimmer 21 Couple's Choice Jamie Laing (Street) 39 Greg Wise 23 Dance-a-thon Charles Venn 3 Mark Wright 2 Foxtrot Mark Wright 35 Chris Ramsey 28 Jive 35 Dave Myers 19 Paso Doble Chris Ramsey 31 16 Quickstep Jamie Laing 32 Simon Rimmer 19 Rumba Charles Venn 35 Nicky Byrne 25 Salsa Chris Ramsey 33 Paul Merson 15 Samba Charles Venn 38 Greg WiseSimon RimmerPaul Merson 19 Showdance Jamie Laing 39 Mark Wright 35 Tango Mark WrightJamie Laing 32 Dave Myers 20 Viennese Waltz Mark Wright 33 Chris Ramsey 26 Waltz 31 Nicky Byrne 17 Eddie Kadi, Jeremy Vine and Will Young are the only celebrities not to appear on this list.

Series 10: with celebrity partner Nicky Byrne

Series 11: with celebrity partner Dave Myers

Series 12: with celebrity partner Mark Wright Score awarded by guest judge Donny Osmond

Series 13: with celebrity partner Jeremy Vine In 2015 she partnered BBC Radio 2 presenter Jeremy Vine, for the thirteenth series of the show.

Series 14: with celebrity partner Will Young She partnered singer Will Young, for the fourteenth series of the show.

Series 15: with celebrity partner Simon Rimmer She partnered chef Simon Rimmer, for the fifteenth series of the show.

Series 16: with celebrity partner Charles Venn She partnered actor Charles Venn, for the sixteenth series of the show. Score awarded by guest judge Alfonso Ribeiro

Series 17: with celebrity partner Chris Ramsey She was partnered with comedian Chris Ramsey, for the seventeenth series. The couple reached the semi-final and finished fourth. Score awarded by guest judge Alfonso Ribeiro

Series 18: with celebrity partner Jamie Laing Score awarded by Anton Du Beke

Series 19: with celebrity partner Greg Wise

Series 20: with celebrity partner Jayde Adams

Series 21: with celebrity partner Eddie Kadi

Series 22: with celebrity partner Paul Merson

number indicates Paul and Karen were at the bottom of the leaderboard

Series 23: with celebrity partner Harry Aikines-Aryeetey

Dance tours and other professional engagements In August 2017, Karen and Kevin Clifton announced they would be touring the UK again in 2018 with their theatre tour, following the sell-out success of their first nationwide tour in 2017.

In October 2025, Hauer announced that she would be teaching and performing with Gorka Márquez at Donahey's 'Dancing with The Stars Weekends' in 2026.

Hauer has performed on the Strictly Come Dancing Live! tour several times, either with a partner or as an additional dancer.

In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hauer's 'Firedance' tour with Gorka Márquez was postponed after a number of performances.

Personal life Hauer was born Karen Vanessa Girez Kardenez Andreas, in Valencia, Venezuela, and took up dancing after moving to New York when she was aged eight. She studied at the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance, and then the High School of Performing Arts (otherwise known as "The Fame School"), majoring in ballet and contemporary dance before going on to study Ballroom and Latin at the age of 19.

Hauer was named World Mambo Champion in 2008, and Professional American Rhythm Rising Star Champion in 2009.

Hauer is a certified Personal Trainer and a health and fitness enthusiast, and in 2019 she launched her online fitness programme 'Hauer Power'. and later to Jordan Wyn-Jones (2022–2024), whom she married at Chewton Glen. She is currently dating former rugby player Simon Davidson.