‘Strictly will be even more SPECIAL THIS YEAR'

Ahead of Strictly Come Dancing’s highly anticipated return, pro dancer Karen Hauer reveals why she’s so excited

- GEORGIA FARQUHARSON

It’s a well-known fact that the Strictly Come Dancing professional dancers rarely get time off – and Karen Hauer is no different.

Whether it’s training, rehearsing or touring, Karen spends eight or nine months of the year away from home. So it’s no surprise she’s seen lockdown as a ‘reset button’ and time to enjoy her relationship with boyfriend David Webb.

After a turbulent few years following her divorce from Kevin Clifton, Karen, 38, admits this downtime ‘came when I most needed it’.

Now, with Strictly set to return within months, Karen is gearing up again. But, with rumours rife of changes to the set-up – including the pros isolating together for two weeks – we quiz Karen on all the details.

First things first. How have you found lockdown?