Karen Hauer, the longest-serving female professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing, has announced her next move weeks after confirming her departure from the BBC show. The Venezuela-born dancer will star in a revival of Richard Harris's comedy Stepping Out at the Devonshire Park Theatre.
Hauer will play dance teacher Mavis in the play, which follows a group of amateur tap dancers preparing for a charity gala performance. In a statement, she said: 'It’s a play about ordinary people achieving extraordinary things through dance, and in the role of their teacher and mentor, it certainly resonates with me! I’m looking forward to dusting off my tap shoes and working with a great company of actors and dancers to bring this heart-warming, feel-good comedy to the Devonshire Park stage.'
The dancer confirmed her Strictly exit last month in an emotional social media video, saying: 'After 14 years on Strictly Come Dancing, I've decided this is the right time for me to close this chapter and take on new projects in other areas that I'm passionate about.' She added: 'Who would’ve thought that a young girl from the Bronx would end up becoming the longest serving female professional dancer on a British TV institution.'
Hauer joined Strictly in 2012 and partnered with celebrities including Mark Wright, Jeremy Vine and Jamie Laing. Her departure comes ahead of the 2026 series, which is set to air later this year.
