‘Why Kevin and I SPLIT UP'

Strictly’s Karen Hauer tells Woman why she’s happier since moving on from Kevin Clifton

- SELINA MAYCOCK AND HAYLEY MINN

The last couple of years haven’t been easy for Karen Hauer. Following her high-profile split from husband Kevin Clifton in 2018, she’s had to mend a broken heart while maintaining a professional relationship with her ex, competing against him on Strictly Come Dancing.

But fast-forward two years and Karen, 37, has been confirmed to return to the BBC One show, making it her ninth year and with the news that Kevin, 37 – who is dating his 2018 dance partner Stacey Dooley – has stood down, the future is looking up for the Venezuelan dancer. Not to mention the fact that she’s now loved-up with international opera singer David Webb.

Karen and Kevin fell in love on live dance show Burn The Floor and later married, but announced they were ending their three-year union in March 2018 after work schedules were said to have put a ‘strain’ on their relationship.

Now, Karen, who has been a dancer for over 30 years, has a new outlook.

She says, ‘My priorities have changed – yes, I love my job but I love coming home, seeing my partner and my fur babies [dogs Betty, Marley and Phoebe], cooking and cuddling – things I wouldn’t do before because it wasn’t a priority.’