Karen Hauer was the primary Strictly Come Dancing skilled to announce her exit from the BBC One present this yr, along with her former dance associate now paying tribute.
The pair completed in ninth place within the competitors (Picture: BBC/Man Levy)
Strictly Come Dancing star Nitro has paid an emotional tribute to Karen Hauer, after studying he was to be her closing superstar associate on the beloved BBC One present.
Karen first graced the Strictly dance ground in 2012, happening to cement her place because the programme’s longest-serving feminine dancer.
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Earlier this yr, nonetheless, she introduced she can be departing the present — changing into the primary skilled dancer to take action amid a rumoured “massacre” of exits.
The departures of Gorka Marquez, Michelle Tsiakkas and Nadiya Bychkova adopted, as Strictly undergoes a major overhaul, with three new hosts unveiled as successors to Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
Upon asserting her departure, Karen shared a heartfelt video crediting Strictly for “altering my life” whereas hinting at “new initiatives in different areas that I am obsessed with”, studies the Mirror.
Her most up-to-date superstar associate, Gladiators star Nitro, has now come ahead to specific his admiration for the dancer.
The athlete, whose actual title is Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, spoke to The Day by day Specific forward of Soccer Help for Unicef, the place he will likely be taking to the pitch alongside the likes of Sam Thompson, Tom Hiddleston, GK Barry and Chloe Burrows.
He mentioned: “It is sort of loopy, being Karen’s final associate and that complete course of is simply a type of issues the place you are like, wow, I am a part of a legend’s story.
Nitro paid tribute to his former dance associate (Picture: BBC)
“I am simply honoured, as a result of she’s wonderful in each sort of approach.”
Providing his steering for subsequent yr’s contestants, amid mounting hypothesis over who is perhaps stepping onto the dance ground, Nitro continued: “Take pleasure in it, embrace it, have enjoyable with it. It is a second in time that you just simply recognize.”
Nitro then mentioned Soccer Help happening this Sunday, confessing: “I am feeling a bunch of feelings. I am excited, barely nervous, however most significantly, I am simply comfortable to be right here.
“Being right here for among the finest causes ever and having essentially the most enjoyable ever is success and pleasure in a single factor.”
Nitro mentioned he was ‘honoured’ to be Karen’s final Strictly associate (Picture: BBC/Man Levy)
Karen and Nitro positioned ninth in Strictly final yr, which noticed footballer Karen Hauer win with Carlos Gu.
A number of months later, in March, Karen introduced her departure from Strictly, stating: “After 14 years on Strictly Come Dancing I’ve determined it is the suitable time for me to shut this chapter and tackle new initiatives in different areas that I am obsessed with.
“Strictly fully modified my life, not solely as a performer and a trainer however as a human being. I’ve had the privilege of assembly so many unimaginable folks and sensible superstar companions who’ve grow to be shut associates and other people I like a lot.”
She continued: “None of this might have been doable with out the wonderful followers. You’ve got been there since day one once I simply moved to the UK and had no thought what I used to be getting myself into.
Karen tearfully shared she was stepping down from Strictly in a video earlier this yr (Picture: Karen Hauer/Instagram)
“I am so grateful you watched me develop over time and witnessed all of my completely different hairstyles.
“I will miss everybody who makes the present doable. To my fellow skilled dancers who I like – I’ll all the time be cheering you on.”
Visibly moved, Karen concluded: “Strictly will all the time be in my coronary heart. I really like you all.”
Nitro was amongst these rallying behind her, leaving a touch upon her publish: “A real inspiration! Purely distinctive! Thanks for all the things! Cant look forward to the subsequent chapter.”
Soccer Help for Unicef takes place on Sunday, 31 Might.
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