Strictly's Karen Hauer eager to have female partner for next series 💃
It will be her tenth year on the show!
Last updated 27th Jul 2021
Strictly Come Dancing professional Karen Hauer has revealed that she'd love to have a female partner for the next series of the dance competition. The next series will be Karen's 10th appearance on the show.
Last year, Katya Jones was paired up with pro boxer Nicola Addams making Strictly history as the long-running dance show's first same-sex couple.
Whilst chatting with Hello Magazine Karen said: "A same-sex partner would be incredible. The support behind Strictly's first same-sex couple last year was extraordinary. I can only imagine our wonderful viewers this year would support it just as much, if not more."
Karen first appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2012 and was paired with Westlife star Nicky Byrne where they made it to week 10. Her most recent partner was Jamie Laing where they were runners-up.
When asked if winning would be a fitting way to mark her special anniversary on the show Karen answered: "Of course, I'd love to bring the Glitterball home at some point. It would be lovely to win in my tenth series, but it is not so much about the winning. I love the show so much and making people fall in love with dancing."
Now Anton Du Beke has moved from the dance floor to the judges panel, Karen now holds the title for the longest-running professional dancer on the show. In her interview she reflected on how much has changed over the past decade:
"The girl of 2012 is a different version of the woman I am now. I'm more confident in myself than I was back in 2012 and I'm sure of who I am as a person, as a woman in this industry. It's been about discovering who I am, the person I want to be."
Strictly Come Dancing will be back later this year.
Check out who's rumoured for this year's series of Strictly:
Chris Whitty
Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty has been an integral part of the team during the Coronavirus pandemic, but if rumours are anything to go by, Strictly bosses are doing everything in their power to sign him up for the 2021 series.
Vicky McClure
Following the popularity and success of Line of Duty, main actress Vicky McClure has been linked to the 2021 series of Strictly. According to the bookies, Vicky is 11/10 to join the show.
Gregory Piper
Another Line of Duty star rumoured to switch the cop cars for the dancefloor is Gregory Piper, who played the role of PC Ryan Pilkington in the hit drama.
Perri Kiely
Diversity star and KISS FM Breakfast presenter Perri Kiely recently confessed he'd love to take part on the show. Speaking to Digital Spy, the former BGT winner said: "If it was on a technical level, that would be horrendous, so I'd definitely love to give it a go. But I'm not sure people would see that. They'd probably see an unfair advantage. People thought I was cheating on Dancing on Ice, let alone Strictly Come Dancing."
Tom Malone Jr
After leaving Gogglebox earlier this year, Tom Malone Jr has expressed his interest in appearing on Strictly. He told the Express: "If the opportunity came up to go on Strictly as a contestant, I've never done Ballroom in my life, so it'd be interesting to see how as someone who breaks."
Munroe Bergdorf
Model Munroe Bergdorf has revealed she wants to make history by becoming Strictly Come Dancing's first ever transgender contestant.
She told the Make It Reign podcast: "I've always said that 'Strictly' is the only one that I've got a desire to do. I've got a plan. I want to get everything done that I want to achieve, then I can start doing those shows. It's really exciting."
Carrie Symonds
Prime Minister Boris Johnson's partner Carrie Symonds has also been a name on the rumour mill. However, judge Shirley Ballas seemed to dismiss these claims recently, telling Metro.co.uk: "99.9999%, it is a family show, it's not a political agenda."
Cheryl
After jumping over to the BBC for The Greatest Dancer, following her stint as a judge on The X Factor, rumours have continuously linked Cheryl to Strictly Come Dancing, so will she appear in 2021?
Tommy Fury
After showcasing his 'moves' on his spin-off show The Boxer and the Ballroom Dancer with Love Island co-star Curtis Pritchard, fans have been urging Strictly to sign up boxer Tommy Fury.
Maya Jama
TV presenter Maya Jama was heavily rumoured for the 2020 series, but after she was a no-show in the line-up, fans are hoping she will make an appearance this year.
Alan Carr
Funny man Alan Carr would make a great addition to the show! Alan appeared on Loose Women last year where he confirmed he'd been asked to take part, so will we see him on the 2021 series?
Michelle Keegan
Since her husband Mark Wright made it into the Strictly final in 2014, every year rumours have been rife that actress Michelle Keegan will sign up.
But Mark set fire to the rumours even further when he took part in Christmas special back in 2019, telling the Radio Times, "Never say never, but I just think her nerves would go to another level."
Read more:
Strictly Come Dancing: A recap of the 2020 series
Strictly Come Dancing confirms four NEW professionals for 2021 series 💃