CULTURE
DANCING QUEEN
Strictly Come Dancing’s longest-serving professional dancer opens up about the two men who have her dancing in the street
KAREN HAUER
PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES. NICKY JOHNSTON. NETFLIX. UNIVERSAL PICTURES. WARNER BROS
After 12 years on Strictly Come Dancing, Karen Hauer is ready to take on another challenge. The show’s longest-serving professional dancer hopes one day to swap the dancefloor for the judging panel, but not before she embarks on her biggest UK tour to date with co-star Gorka Márquez.
As well as taking their show, Speakeasy, to fans, Karen, 42, is preparing for her 13th season on Strictly, which celebrates its 20th birthday this year. Not only that, she has a new love in her life: 34-year-old personal trainer Simon Davidson, whom she is said to have met through Gorka.
Here, she tells hello! all about her new show, her friendship with Gorka and how her boyfriend is adjusting to life in the spotlight.
Karen, how does it feel to be taking on a new tour?
“It feels great; it feels like a really lovely accomplishment, the fact that we had Firedance before, which was our baby and our first creation together as a partnership, and now to be embarking on a new journey with this incredible show that we’re very excited for.”