Karen Hauer wasn’t ready to marry Kevin Clifton.
The 37-year-old professional dancer wed her ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ co-star in 2015, but has now claimed she felt the pair moved too fast in their relationship and didn’t have enough time to truly get to know one another.
Speaking to Closer magazine, she said: "When I look back, I don’t think we were ready for marriage. We were still growing as performers, as people, as lovers, and sometimes you just can’t find the right way to fix things."
The couple announced they had gone their separate ways in 2018, and she says they endured a "traumatic" break-up year.
Karen continued: "The year we broke up was traumatic and heartbreaking.
"It was a shock for us both, but I think it was something that was a long time coming and we ignored the signs.
"We both had different schedules, long working days, and we just didn’t see each other very much."
However, the pair continued to perform on the BBC One dancing competition that year and Kevin, 37, took home the Glitterball Trophy with dancing partner Stacey Dooley.
The winning couple later announced they were dating, and Karen found love with singer David Webb.
Despite the heartbreak, Karen and Kevin have remained close friends, though the split led to some personal changes.
She added: "I admire and respect Kevin and I know he feels the same about me. He will always be my friend.
"My separation from Kevin led me to a path of prioritising myself and sorting myself out and making changes. I used to think I had to be the perfect girl with the perfect hair and always smile. Now I feel grounded and comfortable with who I am."
What’s more, Karen and Stacey, 33, bonded while travelling across the country for the ‘Strictly Come Dancing: Live Tour’.
She 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 Hauer: I wasn’t ready to marry Kevin Clifton
