The glittering world of Strictly Come Dancing has once again been plunged into chaos — and this time, it’s veteran dancer Karen Hauer standing at the centre of the storm.

In a moment that’s being described by viewers as “electric and uncomfortable,” the 43-year-old professional hit back live on air after the judging panel tore apart her daring Argentine Tango — a performance that many fans have since called one of the most “creative and original” routines of the season.

“It Was My Assignment — I Did My Job.”

During the It Takes Two Halloween special, Karen, appearing alongside her partner Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, refused to stay silent about the criticism.
Laughing bitterly, she said:

“If they wanted a classic Argentine Tango, they should have given me the music for it. I was told what song to use, what to do — I did exactly that. That’s my job.”

Her comments came after a fiery performance set to Usher’s hit “Caught Up” split the panel in two.
While Motsi Mabuse called it “bold and modern,” Craig Revel Horwood went for the jugular, labelling it “awkward walking and posing, not dancing.”

The Judges Divided — and the Internet Explodes

The reaction was instant and brutal. Social media erupted with thousands of posts accusing the judges of hypocrisy and bias.

“You can’t ask for creativity and then punish it,” one furious viewer wrote.
“Strictly has become a joke — the panel is out of touch,” another declared.

Others went further, accusing the show of “setting Karen up to fail” by assigning a track with no natural tango rhythm and then using it against her.

Many long-time fans noticed Karen’s barely contained anger on camera, describing her as “hurt but holding her dignity.” One post went viral, reading:

“She looked like she was fighting back tears — 12 years of giving her all, and this is how they treat her?”

Harry Defends His Partner: “We Did What We Were Told”

Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, the athlete and BBC Gladiators star partnering Karen this year, stood by her side — literally and figuratively.

“I was told: ‘Do an Argentine Tango to Usher.’ That’s what I did. I gave it my all, and I’m proud of it.”

Their dance earned a total of 30 points, one of the lowest scores of the night — a shock to viewers who felt it was “stylish, sexy and packed with personality.”

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Rumours of Tension Behind the Scenes

According to insiders, tensions between professional dancers and judges have been “boiling for weeks.” Several pros reportedly feel the judging has become “inconsistent and political.”

A Strictly insider allegedly told a friend:

“Karen’s one of the most respected pros on the show. When she’s pushed to speak out like this, you know something’s gone wrong backstage.”

BBC Under Pressure as Fan Backlash Mounts

The backlash hasn’t stopped online. On X (formerly Twitter), the hashtag #JusticeForKaren began trending within hours of the broadcast.
Hundreds of viewers have pledged to “boycott” the next episode, claiming the show has become “scripted drama rather than a dance competition.”

One viral comment read:

“Strictly used to be about dancing. Now it’s all about controversy and control.”

Others pointed fingers directly at the BBC, demanding “fair treatment” for Karen and transparency about how songs and routines are assigned.

“A Turning Point for Strictly?”

This isn’t the first time Strictly has been rocked by accusations of bias — but fans say this one feels different. Karen, who has been part of the show for over a decade, rarely speaks out. The fact that she’s now publicly challenging the judges suggests a deeper discontent among the professionals.

Dance fans are divided: some hail her as “brave for standing up for the dancers,” while others warn that her defiance might “cost her future opportunities” within the show.

But one thing is certain — Strictly 2025 will never be the same again.

As one fan perfectly summed it up:

“They broke Karen’s silence — and in doing so, they may have broken the show itself.”