She continued to work alongside Kevin Clifton after they called an end to their three-year marriage in 2018.
Yet despite being the picture of professionalism on Strictly Come Dancing, Karen Hauer has admitted she was ‘traumatised and heartbroken’ as she dealt with the fallout of their split.
The Venezuelan dancer, 37, insisted, however, that there are no hard feelings between herself and Kevin, 37, adding that she ‘loves’ his girlfriend, Stacey Dooley, 33.
Candid: Karen Hauer has admitted she was ‘traumatised and heartbroken’ as she dealt with the fallout of her split from husband Kevin Clifton in 2018
Reflecting on her split in a chat with Closer magazine, Karen mused: ‘The year we broke up was traumatic and heartbreaking, it was a shock for us both.’
Reasoning that the pair ‘weren’t ready’ for marriage and had struggled to find time together, she continued: ‘I admire and respect Kevin and I know he feels the same about me. He will always be my friend.’
Karen and Kevin ended their marriage in March 2018, performing alongside each other later that year on Strictly.
Three’s company: Karen, 37, insisted, however, that there are no hard feelings between herself and Kevin, 37, adding that she ‘loves’ his girlfriend, Stacey Dooley, 33
The following season, in 2019, Kevin was partnered with journalist and broadcaster Stacey, who he not only won the show with, but began dating.
Discussing her relationship with Kevin’s girlfriend, Karen said: ‘I’ve just toured with Stacey and I love her to bits. We get on very well. It won’t be weird to see us all hanging out together as couples.’
Karen is also in a relationship herself, with opera singer David Webb, 36, who she has admitted she would be open to marrying.
The couple went public with their romance on Boxing Day in 2018 after he flew to New York to spend the holidays with Karen and her family.
: Karen continued to work alongside Kevin after they called an end to their three-year marriage in 2018 (pictured together in 2017)
Meanwhile, Kevin is also head over heels for his partner, Stacey, and will have plenty more time to spend with her after he announced this month that he is quitting Strictly Come Dancing.
It has since been claimed that ITV bosses have ‘singled the couple out’ as potential stars.
Kevin revealed that he was quitting Strictly to ‘focus on other projects’, while Stacey is currently on a £250,000 a year deal with the BBC.
Dancing and dating: The following season, Kevin was partnered with journalist and broadcaster Stacey, who he not only won the show with, but began dating
‘ITV are very interested in signing Kevin and Stacey. Their view is that they would make a great presenting couple for the channel,’ a source allegedly told the Sun.
‘Stacey obviously has a great deal of presenting experience from her time at the BBC, and Kevin has performed well in TV screen tests in the past.
‘They would hope bringing them on board would attract BBC viewers, and they seem to both appeal to a wide audience, which is another advantage.
Kevin had revealed his decision in an emotional Instagram post earlier this month, admitting he ‘wanted to leave on a high’.
Cute couple: Karen is also in a relationship herself, with opera singer David Webb, 36, who she has admitted she would be open to marrying