Karen Hauer has revealed she’s been teetotal for one year in a candid post about how ‘scared, sad, and angry’ she felt as she eliminated alcohol from her life.
The Strictly Come Dancing pro, 43, has called her turn away from alcohol the ‘bravest’ thing she’s ever done in a social media post on New Year’s Eve.
‘One year alcohol free..’ she began, continuing: ‘I faced my raw self for the first time…Scared, sad, angry. But also clearer. Pausing. Progressing.
‘I hid behind “just having fun” but deep down I was closing my eyes tightly,
gritting my teeth, hoping the pain would stop.
‘Turns out the bravest thing I’ve done was stop running from myself. Now I’m slowly better at reasoning with myself understanding why I feel the way I do and allowing myself to feel it all.
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‘Even when my heartbeat races and my mind overthinks. That’s my process of healing and I’m okay with that.
‘Here’s to many more positive days ahead, with love, support and my little family – Simon and my four gorgeous dogs. Take care of yourselves in 2026.’
Karen was flooded with love from Strictly stars including Jowita Przystał and Gorka Marquez, with recent contestant Vicky Pattison also sharing how ‘proud’ she was of the star’s achievement.
Venezuelan dancer Karen separated from her husband Jordan Wyn-Jones after one year of marriage in 2023, and is now with marketing manager Simon Davidson, who she got into a relationship with later that year.
She was previously married to former Strictly professional Kevin Clifton – who now shares a daughter with Stacey Dooley – from 2025 to 2018, and before this she was married to Matthew Hauer for nine years until their 2009 split.
As the BBC show’s longest-serving professional dancer, Karen recently opened up to Metro about fears Strictly is on its knees, given the recent controversies which have blighted the series, and the departure of long-running hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly.
Karen 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 experienced dancer, who was 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.’
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