Ever wondered what it’s like to dance with Strictly professionals? Here’s everything you need to know about BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing legends Karen Hauer and Kevin Clifton – including Karen’s latest Strictly appearances and how you could dance with her in person! Table of Contents
Who are Karen Hauer and Kevin Clifton from Strictly Come Dancing?
Karen Hauer and Kevin Clifton are two of the most recognisable professional dancers from Strictly Come Dancing. Between them, they’ve graced the Strictly ballroom for over a decade, dazzling audiences with their technical skill, infectious energy and personality.
Strictly Finalist 2020 – Karen Hauer is the longest-serving professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing.
Strictly Champion Kevin Clifton was a pro dancer on the show for 7 years. In 2020 Kevin made the decision not to return to Strictly Come Dancing
Who was Karen Hauer’s 2024 Strictly partner?
Karen was paired with former England footballer Paul Merson. Their Week 1 dance – an American Smooth to “Vindaloo” by Fat Les – showed plenty of spirit! Although they exited in Week 4, their routines were full of charm and fun.
Who is Karen’s Celebrity Partner in Strictly 2025?
Watch this space! The Strictly Come Dancing 2025 line-up will be announced mid-September and we’ll update this page the moment the 2025 pairings are revealed!
What’s Kevin Clifton doing now?
Kevin is now starring in Strictly Ballroom: The Musical, directed by Craig Revel Horwood. He plays Scott Hastings, a rebellious young dancer breaking the rules of traditional ballroom.
5* Weekend Breaks Starring Karen Hauer
Who better to teach you to dance than Strictly Professionals Karen Hauer & dance partner Gorka Marquez.
Join Karen and the stars of strictly at Donahey’s 5★ ‘Dancing With The Stars’ Weekends. Expect:
Photo ops, and ballroom glamour galore
Intimate showcase performances – glitter guaranteed
Masterclasses led by the Strictly pros
Friday 17th – Sunday 19th April 2026
5* Celtic Manor Resort Hotel, Newport
Starring Gorka, Anton, Aljaz, Janette, Gio, David & Rosie, Leandro & Maria, Lance & more tba
Early Bird £709pp Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Don’t miss out – less than 35 bedrooms remaining
⭐ Join your favourite Stars of Strictly Come Dancing, British & World Ballroom Champions, Argentine Tango Stars plus fabulous live music from The Tony Greenwood Big Band.⭐
Friday 17th – Sunday 19th July 2026
5* Celtic Manor Resort Hotel, Newport
Starring Gorka, Amy, Aljaz, Janette, Oti, Leandro & Maria, Aaron & Niamh & more tba
Early Bird £709pp Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
⭐ Join your favourite Stars of Strictly Come Dancing, British & World Ballroom Champions, Argentine Tango Stars plus fabulous live music from The Tony Greenwood Big Band.⭐
‘Is it me or do Donahey’s run the best dance weekends in the country….Kevin Clifton
‘What an incredible event, we loved every second of it. So much on offer from all the Strictly couples & classes, we love being part of it. Kevin Clifton
‘Superb night at Alton Towers. Thank you for letting Kevin and I be part of this fabulous event. Lots of love x’ Karen Hauer
How old and how tall are Karen & Kevin?
| Dancer | Age (2025) | Birthday | Height |
| Karen | 43 | 20th April 1982 | 1.65 m |
| Kevin | 42 | 13th October 1982 | 1.78 m |
Karen Hauer Facts – Height, Age, Dance Partners, Relationships, Awards, Tours
What is Karen Hauer known for?
Karen is the longest-serving female pro on Strictly, having joined in 2012. Born in Valencia, Venezuela, Karen is a world-renowned dancer, choreographer, and TV personality. She’s been a World Mambo Champion and has worked with global stars including Jennifer Lopez.
How old is Karen Hauer ?
43 years old (born 20th April 1982)
What is Karen’s height?
Karen stands at 1.65m tall
Where is Karen Hauer from?
Valencia, Venezuela
Is Karen Hauer single?
Karen secretly married Jordan Wyn-Jones in 2022, but the couple split in 2023. She is currently dating Simon Davidson.
What are Karen’s greatest dance achievements?
- World Mambo Champion (2008)
- American Rhythm Rising Star Champion (2009)
- Appeared on So You Think You Can Dance USA (2009)
- Finalist on Strictly in 2020 and 2014, semi-finalist in 2019
How did Karen get into dance?
Karen started dancing at eight years old after moving to New York. She earned a scholarship to the prestigious Martha Graham School, training in Ballet, Contemporary and African dance before specialising in Latin and Ballroom at 19.
Who is Karen Hauer ’ professional dance partner?
Gorka Marquez – they can be seen in spectacular showcases together at Donahey’s Dancing With The Stars Weekends
What’s Karen’s favourite dance?
It’s definitely a Latin number!
When did Karen Hauer join Strictly?
Karen bounced onto the Strictly dance floor back in 2012, making Karen the longest-serving female pro.
Who has Karen Hauer danced with on Strictly?
| Year | Celebrity Partner | Position |
| 2012 | Nicky Byrne | 6th |
| 2013 | Dave Myers | 10th |
| 2014 | Mark Wright | 4th |
| 2015 | Jeremy Vine | 9th |
| 2016 | Will Young | 13th (withdrew after week 3) |
| 2017 | Simon Rimmer | 11th |
| 2018 | Charles Venn | 6th |
| 2019 | Chris Ramsey | 4th |
| 2020 | Jamie Laing | Runner-up (Final) |
| 2021 | Greg Wise | 12th |
| 2022 | Jayde Adams | 12th |
| 2023 | Eddie Kadi | 12th |
| 2024 | Paul Merson | 12th |
Has Karen Hauer ever won Strictly?
Hard to believe, but no. Like so many of the uber-talented pro dancers, Karen has yet to nab the glitter ball. However, she did reach the final with Made in Chelsea star Jamie Laing in 2020, and former TOWIE star, Mark Wright, back in 2014 plus lifted the Children in Need Strictly trophy with Team GB Olympian, Lutalo Muhammad, in 2016.
Find out who has won BBC Strictly Come Dancing with our full list of past Strictly winners from 2004 here – Strictly Winners
Has Karen ever had a wardrobe malfunction on Strictly?
Yes. In series 17 Karen’s wig attached itself to Chris Ramsey’s fetching tights during their Samba to Everybody (Backstreet’s Back) by Backstreet Boys in Halloween Week, but ever the consummate pro, Karen styled it out. Also in 2017 her pesky underwear was wreaking havoc during an episode of BBC2’s ‘It Takes Two’ and caused her to exclaim, ‘oh, my bra is down!’
Learn more about Karen’s dancing profile on her official BBC Strictly Come Dancing profile page.
Kevin Clifton Facts – Height, Age, Dance Partners, Relationships, Awards, Tours
What is Kevin Clifton famous for?
Known affectionately as “Kevin from Grimsby”, Kevin joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2013 and won the Glitterball Trophy in 2018 with Stacey Dooley.
He is also a Youth World Number 1, four-time British Latin Champion, and principal performer in the West End show Burn the Floor.
How old is Kevin Clifton?
42 years old (born 13th October 1982)
What is Kevin’s height?
Kevin stands at 1.78m tall
Where is Kevin Clifton from?
Grimsby of course…in Lincolnshire
Who is Kevin Clifton’s celebrity partner?
Sadly in 2020 Kevin announced he was hanging his Strictly dance shoes up, we’ll miss him from the show.
Is Kevin Clifton in a relationship?
Kevin is currently dating his 2018 celebrity partner Stacey Dooley.
Kevin and Stacey are expecting their first baby in Spring 2023, we wish them both good luck.
What are Kevin’s greatest dance achievements?
Kevin comes from good dancing stock. His parents, Keith and Judy Clifton, who are former World Champions taught him Ballroom and Latin dancing at a young age. During his career he has earned the titles of Youth World Number 1, four-time British Latin Champion, and British and International Ballroom Champion. He’s also won International Open titles across the globe in Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Spain, Finland, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, France, Sweden, Slovakia and Slovenia. Before taking to the Strictly dance floor in 2013, Kevin worked on the show as an assistant choreographer. He also appeared in the stage adaptation of ‘Dirty Dancing’ in 2010 and was the principal dancer in the West End show, ‘Burn the Floor’, where he met Karen.
What’s Kevin’s favourite dance?
Definitely the Jive.
When did Kevin Clifton join Strictly?
He joined way back in 2013 and was quickly given the nickname, ‘Kevin from Grimsby’ by Sir Bruce Forsyth.
Kevin’s sister Joanne Clifton quickly followed, joining Strictly Come Dancing in 2014
Who did Kevin Clifton dance with on Strictly?
Kevin’s dance partners on Strictly include; Susanna Reid, Frankie Bridge, Kellie Bright, Louise Redknapp, Susan Calman, Stacey Dooley and Anneka Rice
Did Kevin Clifton ever win Strictly?
Yes! After several near wins, Kevin finally lifted the Strictly Glitterball Trophy in 2018 with Stacey Dooley. He also won:
- Children in Need Special (2019) with Maisie Smith
- Strictly Christmas Special (2019) with Debbie McGee
Kevin Clifton Theatre Tours
Kevin has starred in many touring musicals & shows including Burn The Floor and Singing In The Rain.
Kevin is currently touring the UK in Baz Lurhmans smash hit show Strictly Ballroom The Musical.
Directed by Britain’s best loved TV Judge Craig Revel Horwood, and choreographed by Jason Gilkinson, Strictly Ballroom: The Musical follows arrogant, rebellious young ballroom dancer, Scott Hastings (Kevin Clifton). When his radical and daring dance style sees him fall out of favour with Australian Federation, he must dance with beginner, Fran (Maisie Smith). Together they find the courage to defy tradition and discover that to win, your steps don’t need to be strictly ballroom!
Kevin Clifton Fact
When Kevin was on Strictly Come Dancing, he was affectionately known as Kevin from Grimsby – titled by Sir Bruce Forsyth himself.
Has Kevin ever had a wardrobe malfunction on Strictly?
Well, not so much a wardrobe malfunction, but those swishy red trousers he wore for his Samba with Frankie Bridge in 2014 were a sight to behold. Sorry, Kev.
Learn more about Kevin’s dancing profile on his official BBC Strictly Come Dancing profile page.
BBC Strictly Come Dancing
Find out more information about the BBC TV programme Strictly Come Dancing by checking out the BBC Strictly Come Dancing website www.bbc.co.uk/strictlycomedancing
Donaheys Dancing With The Stars Weekends are not associated with BBC Studios
Karen Hauer Tour Dates & Venues
Find out all about Karen Hauer & Gorka Marquez’s 2025 Speakeasy tour
speakeasylive.co.uk
Kevin Clifton Tour Dates & Venues
Find out all about Kevin Clifton’s lead role in Strictly Ballroom The Musical Tour
strictlyballroomtour.co.uk
Meet all the Strictly Come Dancing Professional Dancers
Learn more about all your favourite Strictly Pro’s here;
– Aljaz Skorjanec
– Amy Dowden MBE
– Carlos Gu
– Dianne Buswell
– Giovanni Pernice
– Gorka Marquez
– Johannes Radebe
– Jowita Przystal
– Kai Widdrington
– Karen Hauer
– Katya Jones
– Lauren Oakley
– Luba Mushtuk
– Michelle Tsiakkas
– Nadiya Bychkova
– Nancy Xu
– Neil Jones
– Nikita Kuzmin
– Vito Coppola
– Oti Mabuse
Meet all the Strictly Come Dancing Judges
Learn more about all the Strictly Judges here;
– Anton du Beke
– Shirley Ballas
– Motsi Mabuse
– Craig Revel Horwood
