‘If they loved Karen so much, why did they fire her?’ As the BBC axes yet another beloved Strictly star, insiders tell KATIE HIND the ‘unfortunate pattern’ that is forming. And it could be the biggest scandal to hit the show yet…

Strictly’s executive producer has stepped into a fierce ageism row over the sacking of the show’s longest-serving female professional dancer, Karen Hauer.

Showrunner Sarah James came under fire last night after publishing a glowing tribute to Ms Hauer online, just two weeks after she brutally axed the star ahead of her 44th birthday next month.

Friends of the jilted dancer accused the BBC executive of hypocrisy in a statement to The Mail on Sunday: ‘If he loved Sarah Karen so much, why did he get rid of her?’

This was in response to Ms James taking the unprecedented step of posting a passionate tribute to Ms Hauer on social media yesterday.

The enthusiastic statement said the dancer, who was born in Venezuela and raised in New York’s Bronx, ‘has captivated audiences with her talent, warmth and genuine love of dance and is responsible for some of the most iconic partnerships and joyful routines the Strictly dancefloor has ever seen’.

But those close to the star are furious with Ms James, describing her move as ‘hypocritical nonsense’ and ‘playing to the gallery to feel good’.

One of them told the MoS: ‘We believe Sarah is now trying to protect herself. The BBC fired women they believed were too old because they wanted younger women. He should be ashamed of himself for firing a popular dancer in her 40s. They need to show more respect to the elderly.

‘Karen is devastated and afraid for her future. He was loyal, worked really hard, and was an ambassador for the show. It was really hard for him. He was dismissed due to his age.

‘This is becoming an unfortunate situation for the BBC. Look what they did to Arlene Phillips. They kicked him out [from the Strictly judging panel in 2009] and replaced her with a younger judge, Alesha Dixon, and everything went wrong.’

The message he shared in memory of the axed dancer Karen Hauer

Ms Hauer has been on Strictly, where she has been a dancer, for 14 years. Left with Nadiya Bychkova, Michelle Tsiakkas and Luba Mustak

Ms Hauer, who was married to Strictly professional Kevin Clifton between 2015 and 2018, was axed from Strictly this month after 14 years, along with Nadiya Bychkova, Michelle Tsiakkas and Luba Mustak.

Insiders on the show said they were sacked after BBC research showed they were the least popular. But this is not thought to have applied to Ms Hauer, her friends insist.

They also report that Anton Du Beke worked as a professional dancer into his Strictly 50s before hanging up his ballroom shoes to become a judge.

Ms. James’s statement emerged just minutes after Ms. Hauer posted an emotional video on social media in which she spoke for the first time about her dismissal.

He said in the clip: ‘It’s a tough one but here we go. After 14 years on Strictly Come Dancing, I decided it was the right time for me to close this chapter and start new projects in other areas I am passionate about.

‘It has completely changed my life, not only as an artist and teacher, but also as a person. I’ve had the privilege of meeting so many incredible people [who] I admire it so much.’