Strictly Come Dancing professional Karen Hauer has broken her silence following the emotional departure of her celebrity partner, Olympic sprinter and Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, from the hit BBC competition. The pair became the latest couple to be eliminated after a tense dance-off against La Voix and her professional partner Aljaž Škorjanec during the episode that aired on November 10, 2025.
A Heartfelt Tribute on Social Media
In the wake of their exit, Karen took to Instagram to share a moving tribute to Harry, accompanied by a collection of photos celebrating their seven-week journey on the show. She expressed immense pride in her partner, writing, "I couldn't be prouder. Your little girl will be so proud of her daddy." She went on to describe their time together as "seven weeks of hard work, laughter and non-stop fun," concluding that she had found a "friend for life" in the process and thanking all the fans who had supported them.
The Final Dance-Off and Fan Reaction
The couple's journey came to an end after the panel of judges chose to save La Voix and Aljaž following the Sunday night dance-off. The decision left a significant portion of the Strictly viewership feeling "gutted", a sentiment that was quickly echoed across social media platforms. During his farewell interview with host Tess Daly, Harry was effusive in his gratitude towards Karen. He thanked her for understanding his "crazy brain" and for the immense time and effort she dedicated to teaching him, an Olympic athlete more accustomed to the track than the ballroom. He framed the entire experience as a "dream come true" and a "celebration".
Support from the Strictly Community
The outpouring of support was immediate. Fellow Strictly stars and fans flooded the comments on Karen's post with messages of love and congratulations. Ruth Langsford wrote that she was "sad to see you both go but have LOVED watching you!" while Dianne Buswell simply added, "Love you both well done team." Former contestant Vicky Pattison captured the mood of many with her heartfelt message: "Love you guys, absolutely gutted." One fan perfectly summarised the pair's impact, stating they were "proud to have watched what you've both achieved."
On the live show, when Tess Daly asked Karen just how proud she was of Harry, the professional dancer did not hold back. She described him as a "gentleman" and a "hard worker", praising his listening skills and unique personality. "I loved you in every kind of way because of the person that you are," she told him on air, "and it was an honour to teach you, so thank you so much." Harry's final word on the matter was a simple but powerful reply to Karen's post: "Karen!! All I can say is thank you!!"
