Fear set in for Strictly Come Dancing fans after viewers clocked that Janette Manrara had welcomed a special guest to the couch during the spin-off show It Takes Two. The former Strictly pro gushed as she introduced Karen Hauer on to the BBC Two programme but the guest rang alarm bells for some viewers.
It Takes Two was launching its Strictly Pro Challenge. The challenge invites the BBC show's professionals to set a new Guinness World Record for the most dance steps in 30 seconds.
Janette is the contest's longest-serving professional dancer joining the show in 2010. She announced: "First to brave the challenge is the current longest-serving Strictly professional, a world mambo champion and former pro challenge winner." As Karen stepped out Janette bowed and declared: "Strictly royalty right there." Karen then joked: "I'm like a walking antiques show".
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But the intro worried some viewers, according to Manchester Evening News, which spotted fan reaction on social media. One person wrote: "The constant emphasis on Karen being the longest serving pro currently on Strictly is giving me major 'she's leaving' vibes." Another fan said: "Like in the first episode Bake Off each year when they give one contestant more air time than the rest, you know they're for the chop."
Another Twitter user exclaimed: "No no no no no no." With another fan adding: "NOOOOO. I love Karen."
Karen joined Strictly Come Dancing as a professional dancer in series 10 in 2012, partnering Westlife singer Nicky Byrne. They reached the quarter-finals in week 10, before losing the dance-off to Denise van Outen and her partner James Jordan. For the 20th series this year she was partnered with comedian Jayde Adams. The couple were eliminated in week four after losing the dance-off to Molly Rainford and Carlos Gu.
In 30 seconds Karen completed 23 steps, overseen by judge Craig Revel Horwood. She was challenged to perform the most back Charleston kick-steps in 30 seconds. But she was in for an unwelcome surprise as she was told she had all of them disqualified. "I can't believe that what happened?" cried Janette. And Karen, jokingly hurling off her heels in protest, quipped: "I'd like to speak to the manager now." And she asked: "Why was that?"
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