Home / Arts and Entertainment / Strictly's Karen Hauer Sacked: Ageism & Sexism Accused
Strictly's Karen Hauer Sacked: Ageism & Sexism Accused
11 Mar
Summary
- Karen Hauer, nearly 44, was axed from Strictly Come Dancing.
- Friends accuse the BBC of ageism and sexism in her dismissal.
- Anton Du Beke, 54, and Dame Arlene Phillips were referenced in controversy.
Karen Hauer, a prominent professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing for 15 years, has been controversially axed from the show. Her friends are reportedly furious, accusing the BBC of ageism and sexism, particularly as Hauer is nearing her 44th birthday. They highlight the perceived double standard where older male dancers, such as Anton Du Beke who continued until 54, are retained while Hauer, the oldest female professional, was let go.
This dismissal follows a wider clear-out of professional dancers, including Nadiya Bychkova, Michelle Tsiakkas, and Luba Mushtuk. Hauer's allies draw parallels to the 2008 scandal when Dame Arlene Phillips, aged 65, was replaced as a judge, a decision that sparked public outcry and government intervention. Friends suggest the BBC is sending a negative message to women over 40 about their viability on prime-time television, contrasting it with their stated commitment to diversity.
