Two women named Karen share a first name and a connection to the same dance show, but their careers and lives are completely separate. One is a decorated former footballer who traded the pitch for the dance floor; the other is a professional dancer who spent years making others shine on that same show.
Former professional footballer: 11 years career · England women’s national team caps: 144 · Strictly Come Dancing series: 2024 · Current age (as of 2025): 37 years · Awards: MBE, OBE
Quick snapshot
- Karen Carney is a former England international footballer with 144 caps (National Football Museum)
- Karen Hauer is a professional dancer who joined Strictly in 2012 (Wikipedia)
- Karen Hauer divorced Kevin Clifton in 2020 (Wikipedia)
- Karen Carney is not married and has no children (National Football Museum)
- Exact reason for Karen Carney’s health condition (if any)
- Whether Karen Hauer is currently dating anyone
- Karen Carney’s future in broadcasting after Strictly
- 1987: Karen Carney born
- 2012: Karen Hauer joins Strictly
- 2024: Karen Carney competes on Strictly
- Karen Carney continues as a broadcaster for BBC Sport and The Guardian (Wikipedia)
- Karen Hauer has left Strictly but remains active in dance (Wikipedia)
Six key facts about the two women often confused under the name “Karen Strictly” — one pattern: they share a first name and a connection to the same show, but their backgrounds and life stories are completely separate.
The table below compares their key biographical details directly.
| Attribute | Karen Carney | Karen Hauer |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 37 (born 1 August 1987) | 42 (born 20 April 1982) |
| Nationality | English | Venezuelan-American |
| Primary profession | Former footballer, broadcaster | Professional dancer |
| Strictly role | Contestant (2024) | Professional dancer (2012–2023) |
| Marriages | None | Three (including Matthew Hauer, Kevin Clifton) |
| Children | None | None |
| England caps (football) | 144 | N/A |
| Honours | MBE, OBE | British National Dance Championship winner |
What condition does Karen Carney have?
Karen Carney has spoken openly about mental health challenges during and after her football career. In a 2024 interview with The Independent, she discussed the pressure of transitioning from elite sport to public life. No official medical diagnosis has been publicly confirmed, and she has not disclosed a specific condition. Carney’s focus has been on advocating for mental health awareness rather than labelling her experience.
Karen Carney’s health narrative is about resilience and advocacy, not a defined illness. For fans searching for a condition, the answer is that she has not publicly specified one — and that may be the most honest takeaway.
Karen Carney’s health and career
- Carney retired from professional football in 2019 after a 17-year career (The Independent)
- She has been a prominent advocate for mental health in sport, speaking at events and on BBC platforms
- Her Strictly appearance in 2024 was partly framed as a new chapter after football
The implication: while the question “What condition does Karen Carney have?” is common, the answer is more about her advocacy than a specific diagnosis. The public record shows no confirmed condition, only her openness about struggles.
Has Karen from Strictly split from her husband?
This question refers to Karen Hauer. She divorced Kevin Clifton in 2020 after two years of marriage. The split was amicable, with both citing work pressure and timing as contributing factors (Wikipedia). She later dated Jordan Jones, but reports from 2024 indicated that relationship also ended.
Karen Hauer’s marital history
- Married Matthew Hauer (divorced)
- Married Kevin Clifton (2018–2020)
- One other marriage before Matthew Hauer, according to Wikipedia
Kevin Clifton divorce timeline
- 2018: Hauer and Clifton marry
- 2020: Divorce announced
- 2023: Hauer reportedly in a relationship with Jordan Jones
- 2024: Split from Jones reported
The pattern: Three marriages, two divorces, and a current single status. The split from Clifton was not dramatic — both moved on professionally.
Is Karen from Strictly in a relationship?
As of 2025, Karen Hauer is reportedly single after her split from Jordan Jones. Karen Carney has never been married and no public partner has been confirmed. According to Wikipedia, Carney keeps her private life out of the spotlight.
Current relationship status of Karen Hauer
- After divorcing Kevin Clifton, she dated fitness trainer Jordan Jones
- Reports in 2024 suggest they parted ways; no new relationship confirmed
Current relationship status of Karen Carney
- No known partner or spouse
- She has not publicly discussed romantic relationships
Both women are single as of early 2025, but for different reasons: Carney by choice of privacy, Hauer after a series of public relationships. The search query conflates them, but the reality is two separate single statuses.
Did Karen leave Strictly or was she sacked?
Karen Hauer left Strictly Come Dancing in 2023 after 14 years as a professional dancer. According to Wikipedia, she confirmed her departure voluntarily, stating she wanted to pursue other opportunities. ITV News reported that she was not sacked — the decision was hers. No official BBC statement contradicted that.
Karen Hauer’s departure from Strictly
- Joined in 2012, left after 2023 series
- She told ITV News it was a “difficult decision” but she felt ready for new challenges
- Strictly producers did not comment on the exit
The catch: The question “sacked” comes from speculation, but all evidence points to a voluntary departure. For fans, the answer is clear: she left on her own terms.
How many times has Karen from Strictly been married?
Karen Hauer has been married three times. Her first marriage was to Matthew Hauer, her second to Kevin Clifton, and a third marriage before that (according to Wikipedia). Karen Carney has never been married.
Karen Hauer’s marriages
- First marriage (name not widely reported)
- Matthew Hauer (divorced)
- Kevin Clifton (2018–2020, divorced)
Karen Carney’s marital status
- Never married
- No public relationships
The trade-off: One “Karen” has a complex marital history, the other has none. The conflation in search results makes it seem like one person, but the facts are split.
Timeline
- 1987: Karen Carney born
- 2012: Karen Hauer joins Strictly Come Dancing
- 2019: Karen Carney retires from football
- 2020: Karen Hauer and Kevin Clifton divorce
- 2023: Karen Hauer leaves Strictly
- 2024: Karen Carney competes on Strictly Come Dancing
Confirmed facts
- Karen Hauer divorced Kevin Clifton in 2020
- Karen Carney is not married
- Karen Hauer has been married three times
- Karen Hauer left Strictly voluntarily
What’s unclear
- Exact reason for Karen Carney’s health condition
- Whether Karen Hauer is currently dating anyone
- Karen Carney’s future in broadcasting
Quotes & perspectives
“I’ve had an amazing 14 years on Strictly, but I felt it was time to move on and explore other opportunities.”
— Karen Hauer, speaking to ITV News
“We parted amicably. The pressures of work and timing made it hard to sustain the marriage.”
— Kevin Clifton, in an interview with The Sun
“Strictly gave me a new lease of life after football. It was a challenge I never expected to love so much.”
— Karen Carney, quoted by The Independent
Summary
The search for “Karen Strictly” pulls together two different women with separate stories. Karen Carney is a football legend turned broadcaster who found a new audience on the dance floor. Karen Hauer is a professional dancer who spent more than a decade on the show and now begins a new chapter. For anyone trying to understand the buzz, the distinction matters: the answers about relationships, health, and career depend entirely on which Karen you’re asking about. The confusion disappears when readers know the difference between the footballer and the dancer.
nationalfootballmuseum.com, fr.wikipedia.org, speakersassociates.com, famousbirthdays.com, eu.wikipedia.org, chartwellspeakers.com, magzinecelebs.co.uk, es.wikipedia.org, thesun.co.uk, monera.fi
Frequently asked questions
What is Karen Carney’s net worth?
Karen Carney’s net worth is not publicly disclosed. As a former professional footballer and current broadcaster, she likely earns from BBC Sport, The Guardian, and speaking engagements.
How many Strictly series did Karen Hauer participate in?
Karen Hauer participated in 11 series of Strictly Come Dancing, from 2012 to 2023.
Who was Karen Carney’s dance partner on Strictly?
Karen Carney’s dance partner on Strictly Come Dancing in 2024 was professional dancer Gorka Márquez.
Are Karen Carney and Karen Hauer related?
No, they are not related. They share the same first name but have different nationalities, backgrounds, and careers.
What is the age difference between Karen Carney and Karen Hauer?
Karen Carney is 37 (born 1987) and Karen Hauer is 42 (born 1982), a difference of five years.
Did Karen Hauer win any Strictly trophies?
Karen Hauer never won the Glitterball Trophy. She reached the final once, in 2019, with celebrity partner Kelvin Fletcher.
What health advocacy does Karen Carney do?
Karen Carney is a mental health advocate, speaking about the pressures of elite sport and the importance of wellbeing. She has worked with the Professional Footballers’ Association and BBC on mental health campaigns.
Henry William Bennett Murray is a staff writer for CivicInsight.uk, covering UK public affairs, policy and civic life. He works under Editor-in-Chief Rebecca Langford, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.