Strictly Come Dancing star Karen Hauer has shared the powerful and honest reason behind her decision to quit drinking alcohol, as she celebrates a full year of sobriety.
A Year of Facing Raw Emotions
The 43-year-old professional dancer marked the milestone with an emotional post on Instagram, accompanied by an elegant black and white portrait. Hauer wrote candidly about using alcohol to mask her feelings, stating she had hidden behind the guise of "just having fun" while internally struggling.
"I faced my raw self for the first time… scared, sad, angry. But also clearer. Pausing. Progressing," she revealed. The dancer admitted she had been "closing my eyes tightly, gritting my teeth, hoping the pain would stop" before making the life-changing choice.
The Bravest Decision Amid Personal Turmoil
Her journey to sobriety came during a period of significant personal difficulty, having gone through her third divorce last year. Despite this trauma, Hauer declared that giving up alcohol was the "bravest" thing she has ever done.
"Turns out the bravest thing I’ve done was stop running from myself," she explained. The dancer described her ongoing healing process, saying she is now "slowly better at reasoning with myself understanding why I feel the way I do and allowing myself to feel it all."
Support from Strictly Family and New Rules
Her heartfelt announcement was quickly met with support from her Strictly colleagues, including fellow pro Jowita Prystal and former I'm A Celebrity star Vicky Pattison. The revelation comes as the BBC has reportedly introduced stricter guidelines for its professional dancers.
A 16-page document titled Pro Dancer Guidelines now prohibits certain behaviours. According to reports, these rules forbid "swearing, drinking to excess or wearing inappropriate clothing" both during the show's run and in downtime periods.
Looking Forward with Newfound Stability
Hauer ended her post by expressing gratitude for her current support system, notably her boyfriend of two years, Simon Davidson, and her four dogs. She looks ahead to "many more positive days" with her "little family".
This new chapter follows a series of public relationship challenges. Hauer has spoken openly about the impact of her 2018 split from fellow Strictly pro Kevin Clifton and the "toxic" nature of her brief marriage to third husband Jordan Wyn-Jones, which ended after just 16 months.
Through therapy and self-reflection, the dancer has reached a point of acceptance with her healing journey. "That’s my process of healing and I’m okay with that," Hauer stated, embracing her path forward without alcohol.
