Strictly Come Dancing viewers were worried as Janette Manrara welcomed a special guest to the couch on the spin-off show It Takes Two. Former Strictly pro Janette gave a glowing introduction as she was joined on the BBC Two programme by her friend Karen Hauer.
Janette introduced her pal, the BBC contest's longest-serving professional dancer, as It Takes Two launched its Strictly Pro Challenge. The challenge invites the show's professionals to set a new Guinness World Record for the most dance steps in 30 seconds.
"First to brave the challenge is the current longest-serving Strictly professional, a world mambo champion and former pro challenge winner," Janette announced. As Karen stepped out Janette bowed and declared: "Strictly royalty right there." "I'm like a walking antiques show," Karen joked.
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But the intro worried @Ariadne_Reviews who tweeted: "The constant emphasis on Karen being the longest serving pro currently on Strictly is giving me major 'she's leaving' vibes." And @ShanghaiHannah replied: "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."
@monsterofcoffee responded: "No no no no no no." And @FutterAndy exclaimed: "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 comedien 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 manaer now." And she asked: "Why was that?"
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