Behind the glitz and glamor of TV series Strictly lies the brutal truth that appearing on the show can pose serious risks to your marriage. Much has been said about the so-called ‘Strictly Curse’, given the number of dancers’ relationships that have broken down – the total number is estimated at almost a dozen.
The latest to suffer such heartache are professional dancer Karen Hauer and her businessman husband Jordan Wyn-Jones. Despite only getting married in June last year, the couple announced last month that they were going their separate ways after a “tough” few months.
The background to their split, which Jordan explained in an exclusive interview with The Mail on Sunday, offers an instructive insight into the pressures of being part of the Strictly carousel, which sees dancers away from home for long periods of time rather than just filming, according to the BBC show, but also toured with Strictly Come Dancing Live! through the nation!
He said: “It’s kind of a love story, a sad story. “I’m incredibly sad not to be in Karen’s life and not be on this journey with her, but we’re not a good fit professionally. I will always admire her for her career, but it took a lot away from me. She would be gone and I would be home alone.’
The deciding factor in their breakup was that his desire to start a family clashed with Karen’s commitment to the show as its longest-serving professional.
The latest to suffer such heartache are professional dancer Karen Hauer and her businessman husband Jordan Wyn-Jones (pictured together).
Their marriage had collapsed just a year after what Karen described at the time as a “fairytale wedding” that was reported on by Hello magazine
Jordan says their relationship became a series of video and phone calls with his wife. Jordan Wyn Jones and Karen Hauer
Jordan remembers “frozen” in the paparazzi flashes on the red carpet as he and Karen attended the opening night of Cirque du Soleil at the Royal Albert Hall. Karen and Jordan on the Cirque du Soleil red carpet
After discussing having children, they moved from Karen’s home in Wimbledon, southwest London, to the north of England, where they settled in the countryside with their four dogs.
But instead of cozy evenings at home, Jordan says their relationship became a series of video and phone calls while his wife, an American-Venezuelan ballroom champion, traveled around the country.
Without a doubt, working women find it much more difficult than most other women to make decisions about having a child. It goes without saying that it would be impossible to take part in the show while heavily pregnant.
But as Karen approached 40, 34-year-old Jordan was itching to become a father.
However, when a friend alerted him to a magazine interview in which his wife said she didn’t know if she wanted children, he knew his dream probably wouldn’t come true.
“Karen is dedicated to her career, which she has worked really hard for,” says Jordan. “She’s great and I admire her for that.” That’s one of the reasons I wanted to marry her – because she’s so powerful.
“But we wanted different things.” There was a plan to have children, but there was no plan.
“When we first met, we talked about it. They say things like, “I want to have children.” And she had mentioned to me that she wanted to have children with me. But in the interview Karen said: “Children are not the future” – which made me sad. I always wanted to be a father.
“I wouldn’t say it was a shock, but subconsciously in the back of my mind I knew…why would she want to have a child with me?”
“I would become empty in our relationship.” I loved her and cared for her deeply, but I was free because of the situation we were in.
Karen Hauer and Eddie Kadi during their appearance on Saturday’s live show for BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing in October 2023
But as Karen approached 40, 34-year-old Jordan (pictured) was itching to become a father
According to Jordan, when the couple met eight weeks ago to discuss the interview with the magazine, they burst into tears as they admitted their marriage was over.
Jordan says, “There were tears on both sides.” Lots of tears and sadness. We didn’t want to let go of each other, but we weren’t right for each other either.
“If we had stayed together and didn’t have a family, I think I would have upset her in the end.” “This is the perfect moment for us to love each other and leave each other.”
Their marriage collapsed just a year after what Karen described as a “fairytale wedding” at the Chewton Glen Country House Hotel in the New Forest, which was reported on by Hello magazine.
Jordan says, “Karen is busy and career-oriented.” That’s fine, but I need a different kind of support from a partner. I’m not saying she didn’t support me, because she did, but she just wasn’t there.”
While Jordan was Karen’s third husband – she was previously married to two dance partners, Matthew Hauer and Kevin Clifton, and then had a relationship with opera singer David Webb – Kevin had only been married once before.
He says his relationship with Karen blossomed even before they met in person. Originally from Brighton, Jordan was living in Sydney when he started following Karen on Instagram. She followed him back and they began exchanging messages before speaking regularly on FaceTime.
Perhaps, in retrospect, this unorthodox dating method was a reminder that life as a Strictly professional doesn’t make finding love the traditional way easy. But after living Down Under for two decades, Jordan had no idea of the show’s significance and asked Karen to send video clips of her dancing.
He recalls: “I thought she was beautiful.” I didn’t know what Strictly was! She was so shy, humble and humble about how brilliant she was. I loved that about her.’
When the couple met eight weeks ago to discuss the magazine interview, Jordan said they burst into tears as they admitted their marriage was over
They communicated online for about six months, and then Karen asked if he would move to London to spend their life together.
Jordan immediately booked flights and flew back to the UK for the first time in his adult life.
“We hadn’t even met yet,” he grins. “Imagine how scared I was on the plane. I had never kissed her before. It was really beautiful.’ On the way to her house from the airport, he bought some flowers. “I remember they were yellow,” he says. “When I think of Karen, I see yellow. She is just so bright. I knocked on the door and we kissed immediately. We were together.
“I never had a backup plan. I just moved in with her and her dogs and started building a life for myself. “I had a whole life in Australia that I left to be with Karen.”
Suddenly he found himself immersed in the world of Strictly – and found the celebrity lifestyle overwhelming. Jordan remembers “frozen” in the paparazzi flashes on the red carpet as he and Karen attended the opening night of Cirque du Soleil at the Royal Albert Hall.
He said it was intimidating meeting other Strictly dancers and witnessing the hustle and bustle of the show, which was filmed in Elstree, Hertfordshire, and the touring stage show. However, he doesn’t blame Strictly Curse and doesn’t regret marrying Karen – who refused to comment on their split last night.
“We used to laugh at the Strictly Curse because it was so silly,” Jordan said. “Karen doesn’t have the courage to be unfaithful and dishonest – she’s just not that person.” I just trusted her. It never played a role in our relationship because when I met her I knew who she was.
“She doesn’t throw herself at people. She has this respect for herself, respect for her career, her colleagues, her job, the BBC.
“She’s very proud to be the longest-serving professional player on the show. “She’s worked very hard and is so good, she’s such a professional.”
But there was a price to pay.
“When it was just the two of us together, there was never a front. I only knew Karen. I had never known her as a celebrity. I knew her as my Karen. I used to call her “My Little Jones,” and to me she still is. I’m sad to lose this person and I think she feels the same way.
“I see it as a love story.” We will remain friends. We haven’t filed for divorce yet, but there’s no reason to argue or worry about it. We still text and it’s all well and good.
“However, we have hurt each other.” I want a family and she’s not that far along in her life yet. It’s a shame. When we talk, we still say ‘I love you’. We’re just not right for each other.”