Strictly’s longest-serving pro urges fans ‘don’t fear show’s future’ after Tess and Claudia’s exit

Strictly Come Dancing’s current longest-serving professional dancer on the show, Karen Hauer, has urged fans not to fear for the show’s future after Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced they would be leaving.

The long-running BBC One hosts made the shock announcement on Thursday. Daly has presented since the first series 21 years ago, while Winkleman joined in 2014.

Hauer, who is the longest-serving professional dancer currently on the show, as well as the longest-serving woman on the dancefloor, said she’s still excited by Strictly’s future after 13 years in the ballroom.

Speaking with Metro ahead of Icons Week, Hauer compared the flagship dance programme to a child’s comfort blanket, saying: ‘It’s always happiness for us when we’re here. It’s an incredible show to be a part of. 

‘I say, don’t fear, you will be in great hands with whoever comes in to step into Claudia and Tess’s shoes.’ 

She continued: ‘We’ve always had changes in the show and it’s always been positive. 

‘So I’m not actually afraid of what’s to come at all. If anything, I’m quite excited to see who comes in, but also for the pros and for the celebrities that are still in it right now, let’s just keep enjoying ourselves.

‘Strictly only gets better. That’s what I’ve seen throughout the years. It will always maintain that amazing spot for everyone in their hearts, that it always brings happiness and joy to everyone.’

The Venezuelan dancer, who is partnered with Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey on this series of the show, said she was still saddened by the sudden news, describing Claudia and Tess as ‘massive powerhouses’.

‘Claudia and Tess are two women that I absolutely look up to,’ she told us. ‘They carried the show, and they’ve been absolutely brilliant. 

‘I’m really happy that they’ve been able to put the show on such a high level and to create such an amazing feeling for everyone. I’m definitely going to miss them sorely.’

Aljaž Škorjanec also joined Strictly in time to do a season with Sir Bruce Forsyth, before his death in 2017, and saw how Daly and Winkleman subsequently ‘made the show their own’.

‘Strictly is such a staple in British television, and I feel like Tess and Claude carried it to new heights,’ said the Slovenian dancer. ‘They complemented each other beautifully all these years and made all of us a part of the show feel really, really special. We have all enjoyed working with them, and it’s going to be a huge void that is going to be left there.’

Škorjanec went on to say that the show is likely one of the most challenging roles in television, working across like TV with no advert breaks for two hours.

‘To keep that ship afloat and to steer it in the right direction, it’s a much tougher job than what people might think it is, and I feel like both did everyone really proud, and they made us all step up our own game too.’

Meanwhile, fellow professional dancer Nikita Kuzmin, who is partnered up with Love Island alum Amber Davies, said he will probably find it ‘confusing’ to see someone else in their spots, having never done Strictly without the hosting double act.

He told Metro: ‘Whoever will replace them, they have humongous shoes to fill and a lot of fringe to fill as well!

‘I understand they’ve done it for a while. It’s their choice and I love the fact that they decided to leave together. I think it’s quite poetic in some way, although it’s quite sad.’

Vicky Pattison confirmed that none of the show’s stars knew about the news before it was shared with the public this week – although admitted she’s had friends asking for the inside scoop.

‘I just think it’s so important to acknowledge their contribution to not only Strictly, but Saturday night telly. This is two women hosting one of the biggest shows on the telly and not just doing a good job, but doing a phenomenal job,’ said Pattison.

‘They absolutely knocked it out of the park in what has been historically a male-dominated space. I think that deserves a moment.

‘Whoever takes over has big shoes to fill, but I have no doubt that the BBC will make a very good decision, big heels.’

Strictly Come Dancing continues tonight on BBC One for Icons Week.

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