Karen Hauer Cast as Mavis in Stepping Out Revival

Karen Hauer, the longest-serving female professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing, has announced her first major role since departing the BBC show after 14 years: portraying tap dance instructor Mavis in a revival of Richard Harris's comedy Stepping Out.

The production, directed by Chris Jordan, opens at Eastbourne's Devonshire Park Theatre from August 13 to 29, with subsequent performances in Southend, Fareham, and Bromley through late September. The play follows a group of amateur tap dancers preparing for a charity gala, highlighting themes of confidence and connection through dance. Hauer shared the news on Instagram alongside a casting poster, writing, "This one feels really close to my heart. I am thrilled to be playing the role of Mavis in Stepping Out. A joyful, funny and deeply human story about finding confidence, connection and a little bit of magic through dance."

In a statement, Hauer added, "It's a play about ordinary people achieving extraordinary things through dance, and in the role of their teacher and mentor, it certainly resonates with me. I'm looking forward to dusting off my tap shoes and working with a great company of actors and dancers to bring this...