DANCING THROUGH THE DARK: ‘I'D LIKE TO MEET SOMEONE AND CONNECT INSTEAD OF USING A DATING APP'

PROFESSIONAL DANCER KAREN HAUER ON SURVIVING LOCKDOWN ALONE, HER FITNESS SECRETS AND WHY SHE’S ON A COMEDOWN AFTER STRICTLY

- GEMMA MCCARTNEY

When we catch up with Karen Hauer on a rainy winter morning, she’s her usual perky self as tells us she’s living alone during lockdown – although she has got her three dogs for company. “They’re troublemakers and keep me on my toes,” she says, laughing.

The Strictly professional dancer had an amazing series on the latest run of the show, making it to the final with Made In Chelsea’s Jamie Laing. And when we chat to Karen, 38, she speaks highly of Jamie, describing him as “like a brother” to her.

When she’s not working on her dance routines, Karen is a fitness fanatic and tells us about her latest venture during lockdown – training her followers with a series of Insta Live workouts and bootcamp classes. “Mentally it’s a boost for my confidence, motivation and feeling good about myself,” she says of her passion for exercise.

Here, Karen, who was married to former Strictly pro Kevin Clifton for three years, says she’s excited to grow older, explains why she’s not up for joining a dating app and reveals how she gets those incredible abs…

So Karen, how are you finding lockdown life?