Strictly Come Dancing star, Karen Hauer, was in tears this week when she announced she was leaving the show amid rumours of a mass cull at the primetime programme

Strictly Come Dancing's head honcho has raised eyebrows after paying an unexpected tribute to show pro, Karen Hauer. The fan favourite, 43, was in tears this week when she announced she was leaving Strictly following rumours of a mass cull at the programme.

Karen's pals are reportedly furious over the star's exit, with some accusing Strictly of being ageist after 'dumping' the dancer ahead of her 44th birthday next month. It comes after a reported 'bloodbath' at the programme, in which a number of big names, including Gorka Marquez and Nadia Bychkova, have all, allegedly, been relieved of their duties.

Following the furore, Strictly boss, Sarah James, took the surprising step of posting a gushing tribute to Karen on social media yesterday. Praising the performer for her "incredible work ethic", she wrote: "We would like to say a huge, heartfelt thank you to Karen Hauer for her incredible contribution to Strictly Come Dancing over the last 14 years. As the longest-serving female dancer in the history of the show, Karen has given so much of herself and her time to the programme.

"We are extremely grateful for the passion, creativity and dedication she has brought to every single performance.

"We thank her for all these memorable moments and incredible work ethic. We can't wait to see where her next chapter takes her."

However, Karen's pals are reportedly not convinced by the tribute, one told the Mail on Sunday: "We believe Sarah is now trying to protect herself. The BBC wants younger women so they sacked the one they believed to be too old.

"She should be ashamed of herself for sacking a popular dancer who is in her 40s. They should have more respect for older people.

"Karen is devastated and is scared about her future. She was loyal, worked really hard and was an ambassador for the show. It has been really tough for her. She has been sacked for her age."

They continued: "This is becoming an unfortunate pattern with the BBC. Look what they did to Arlene Phillips . They sacked her [from the Strictly judging panel in 2009] and replaced her with a younger judge, Alesha Dixon, and that all went wrong."

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It comes after two more huge names have reportedly been given their marching orders from Strictly spin-off show, It Takes Two. In the latest bombshell to hit the series, show hosts, Janette Manrara and Fleur East, are said to be leaving the popular programme.

Sources says bosses want a huge revamp of the programme as the Strictly bloodbath shows no signs of abating.

However, when contacted by the Mirror, a BBC spokesperson said: "It is factually incorrect to claim that either has been ‘axed’. Plans for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 will be confirmed in due course.”

The Mirror has contacted the BBC for further comment on this story.

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