Karen Hauer, 43, is allegedly the latest in a string of Strictly Come Dancing stars to be given the chop. According to reports, Karen has been left "very upset" after learning her fate following a 13-year stint on the popular programme. A source told MailOnline: "Karen is the latest professional dancer to be told her contract will not be renewed this year. It's very much a case of out with the old and in with the new. As the longest-serving female dancer, Karen found out last week that her time on Strictly is over". It comes after it was revealed in The Sun earlier this week that Neil Jones, 43, Nadiya Bychkova, 36, and Nancy Xu, 34, were the latest stars to be dropped from the programme.

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The source added: "Karen was obviously very upset after being told the news, but she is trying to remain positive about the future.

"She works as a choreographer and knows she can focus more on that, as well as her work in the fitness industry.

"It's also looking increasingly likely that Alja Škorjanec will not return, while Carlos Gu and Johannes Radebe have been given the green light to stay".

Rumours are also swirling that Luba Mushtuk, 36, Michelle Tsiakkas, 30, and Gorka Marquez, 35, could also be leaving the programme.

Express.co.uk has contacted Karen's representatives for comment.

A spokesperson for the BBC said: "Plans for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 will be confirmed in due course."

Hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly will not be returning to the show this year, but their replacements are yet to be confirmed by BBC bosses.

Strictly Come Dancing is due to return to screens this autumn on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.