Strictly favourite Karen Hauer says she fears not being asked back on the show.
The professional dancer says she’s still waiting on a phone call to invite her back on the BBC programme for what will be her ninth year.
Karen, 37, said: “Strictly has completely changed my life. It’s definitely been the mothership.”
But despite being one of its best loved pros, there is no guarantee of another 12-month contract.
“Hopefully I’ll be back,” said Karen, who finished fourth with comedian Chris Ramsey last year.
“It’s nerve-wracking. It all depends on which celebrities they’ve signed up and whether you fit in.”
Karen is touring a live show called Firedance with fellow pro Gorka Marquez, who did not get a celebrity partner on last year’s Strictly.
But she thinks that working with Gorka has calmed her own fiery nature.
Venezuelan Karen said: “He’s very calm and easygoing. He’s made me calmer. Our roots are very Latino and fiery. We’re good friends.”
Watching Gorka, 29, settle down with actress Gemma Atkinson, 35, and daughter Mia, seven months, has made Karen think about a family of her own.
“I’m just so happy for him,” she said.
“It’s beautiful to see him flourish. Having a baby is a possibility for me. I’m really happy. Everything is falling into place.”
Karen, who was once married to Strictly’s Kevin Clifton, is now loved up with opera singer David Webb, 35.
“It’s important to let go of things that didn’t work in the past,” she said. “I had a couple of rough years.
“Now I look back and I’m proud of myself of getting through.
“I adore David. He knows every piece of me and gets me, which is rare. And he likes dogs. I’m probably going to end up with 25.”
- Catch Firedance from March 6, firedancelive.co.uk.
