Come Dancing's longest-serving professional has branded her axing from the show 'stressful and emotional'.
The dancer, 43, has been a victim of the bloodbath, in which a slew of stars have sensationally been axed from the show with insiders claiming the entire line-up of pros could be set for a major overhaul.
Over the weekend, Karen attended the LitPet's Sunday Dog Social, held at the luxurious 180 House on London's Strand, alongside her pup Marley, one of her four rescue dogs, whom she frequently shares on social media.
Speaking at the event about her heartbreaking career overhaul, she said: 'It's been a terribly stressful and emotional time and my four dogs have really helped me get through it. What's just happened is part of life and the stresses that go with it.'
Karen spoke about how her emotions impact the pups, saying: 'My dogs really feel it when I'm stressed and they have really helped me get through this.'
Strictly Come Dancing's longest-serving professional Karen Hauer has branded her axing from the show 'stressful and emotional' and said she is using her four rescue dogs to help cope
The dancer, 43, has been a victim of the BBC bloodbath, in which a slew of stars have sensationally been axed from the show with insiders claiming the entire line-up of pros could be set for a major overhaul (pictured 2012)
Earlier this month, it was revealed Karen had been axed by bosses after serving a whopping 13 years on the show.
The news came after after Nadiya Bychkova, 36, Michelle Tsiakkas, 30, Luba Mushtuk, 36, and Gorka Márquez, 35, were also axed from the series, with sources claiming all of the Strictly pros are already aware of their fate.
One insider said: 'Karen is the latest professional dancer to be told her contract will not be renewed this year...
'It's very much a case of out with the old and in with the new. As the longest-serving female dancer, Karen found out last week that her time on Strictly is over.'
A second source added: 'It's an awful fate for the professional dancers who have dedicated their careers to the show.
'Karen was obviously very upset after being told the news, but she is trying to remain positive about the future. She works as a choreographer and knows she can focus more on that, as well as her work in the fitness industry.
'It's also looking increasingly likely that Aljaž Škorjanec will not return, while Carlos Gu and Johannes Radebe have been given the green light to stay.'
Over the weekend, Karen attended the LitPet's Sunday Dog Social, held at the luxurious 180 House on London's Strand, alongside her pup Marley, one of her four rescue dogs, whom she frequently shares on social media
Karen spoke about how her emotions impact the pups, saying: 'My dogs really feel it when I'm stressed and they have really helped me get through this'
Karen's last celebrity partner on the series was Gladiator star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, while the year before she danced with former footballer Paul Merson and, in 2023, comedian Eddie Kadi.
She showcased her versatility as a choreographer by performing with comic Jayde Adams in 2022, following on from Katya Jones, who was the first Strictly female pro to perform in a same-sex pairing.
Other celebrity partners Karen has performed with include Sunday Brunch host Simon Rimmer and TOWIE's Mark Wright, one of the first reality stars signed to the show.
Despite her long-standing commitment, Karen has never won the Strictly glitterball trophy, though she did reach the final with Mark Wright in 2014.
Karen was previously married to former Strictly pro Kevin Clifton, but their marriage ended after three years. Despite the split, the pair continued to work together on the show.
The star is the latest cast member to be sensationally dropped from the hit BBC show, with insiders claiming the entire line-up of professional dancers could be set for a major overhaul
During her time at LitPet's Sunday Dog Social, a wellness retreat designed specifically for dogs and their owners, Karen and Marley were seen making the most of the unique stress-relieving activities on offer.
The duo spent time in the dedicated wellness zone, where Marley received a pet reiki session from specialist practitioner Yasmin, and a dog tarot session.
Stephen Hu, founder of LitPet, said: 'We created LitPet because we saw a need for natural, effective ways to support our pets' wellbeing in busy urban environments...
'Having Karen here today, and seeing firsthand how our supplements and these holistic therapies can help dogs like hers find their calm, is exactly why we launched the Sunday Dog Social...
'It's about building a supportive community for both dogs and their owners.'
