Axed Strictly star Karen Hauer lands first big TV role alongside Zara McDermott on rival channel

AXED Strictly Come Dancing star Karen Hauer has landed her first big TV role alongside Zara McDermott on rival channel ITV. The Sun can exclusively reveal that the pair will be appearing on the next series of Cooking With The Stars. Sign up for the TV newsletter Thank you! Karen Hauer has landed her first television role since leaving Strictly Come Dancing Credit: Getty She and Zara McDermott will be on the next series of Cooking With The Stars Credit: Getty Karen, 44, will be swapping the ballroom for the kitchen as she cooks up a storm alongside other famous faces. A source told The Sun: “ITV are thrilled to have snapped up Karen. “She’s hot property now she’s been let go by the BBC, and a lot of people thought Strictly were mad to lose her, so ITV struck while the iron was hot. “The feeling is, the Beeb’s loss is their gain. She is extremely popular with viewers after so many years on the dancefloor, and all the fans will follow her in their droves to this new gig. “Zara is also a perfect signing too. She has a huge built-in fanbase from Love Island, which she only grew further with her stint on Strictly and also all her successful BBC Three documentaries. “She also dates Louis Tomlinson, so he’ll be encouraging all his devoted fans to support her on the show,” the insider added. They will be joined by Scarlett Moffatt and Seann Walsh, who The Sun recently announced will be doing the ITV show following their stint on I’m A Celebrity South Africa. Emma Willis will be returning to front the show alongside co-host Tom Allen, despite it just being announced that she will be one of the new hosts of Strictly. Most read in TV Scarlett Moffatt is also a part of the line up Credit: Getty Her I’m A Celebrity co-star Seann Walsh will also be cooking up a storm Credit: Getty She’ll be juggling multiple shows across BBC and ITV, with Strictly Come Dancing airing on Saturdays and Sundays on BBC One. Meanwhile, she’ll be presenting The Voice on Saturday evenings and Cooking With The Stars on Sundays – both on ITV1. Karen confirmed her exit from Strictly after 14 years back in March as she shared an emotional video for her fans on Instagram. She expressed: “After 14 years on Strictly Come Dancing I’ve decided it’s the right time for me to close this chapter and take on new projects in other areas that I’m passionate about. “Strictly completely changed my life, not only as a performer and a teacher but as a human being. “I’ve had the privilege of meeting so many incredible people and brilliant celebrity partners who have become close friends and people I admire so much. Emma Willis is back to host the show with Tom Allen after bagging the Strictly hosting gig Credit: ITV Karen announced her exit from Strictly after 14 years Credit: Instagram “None of this would have been possible without the amazing fans. You’ve been there since day one when I just moved to the UK and had no idea what I was getting myself into. “I’m so grateful you watched me grow over the years and witnessed all of my different hairstyles.” “I’m going to miss everyone who makes the show possible. To my fellow professional dancers who I adore – I will always be cheering you on.” Becoming tearful, she said: “Strictly will always be in my heart. I love you all.” She’s not the only professional leaving as it’s been confirmed that Gorka Marquez, Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk and Michelle Tsiakkas are all also out from the next series. Comment now