Karen Hauer makes first public appearance at London Cabaret Club gala after sensational axe from Strictly Come Dancing
Karen Hauer made her first public appearance since being dumped from Strictly Come Dancing at the London Cabaret Club gala, supporting young performers with The King’s Trust, on Wednesday night (18.03.26).
Karen Hauer made her first public appearance since being shockingly axed from Strictly Come Dancing at The London Cabaret Club’s gala on Wednesday evening (18.03.25).
The event was held at the iconic Bloomsbury Ballroom, in partnership with The King’s Trust, and Karen seemed to be in better spirits as she joined her boyfriend Simon Davidson, after it was reported she was "very upset" by the surprise decision by Strictly bosses to dump her from the BBC One dance competition after 14 series.
Joining Hauer on the red carpet were TV star and King’s Trust Ambassador Tasha Ghouri and Call the Midwife actress Helen George, both of whom competed on Strictly Come Dancing during Karen's time as a professional on the show.
Other guests included Pineapple Dance Studios founder Debbie Moore OBE, Waterloo Road star Tillie Amartey, and other influential figures from the UK’s arts, dance, and live performance sectors.
The event celebrated the first cohort of the club’s three-year flagship programme designed to help young people facing barriers to creative careers.
Fourteen participants performed on the Bloomsbury stage after completing a two-week professional training programme led by co-founders Evelina Girling and Doni Fierro.
For many of the performers, the gala marked their first experience on a professional stage. The programme offers ongoing mentorship, industry guidance, and professional training, with one standout participant set to receive a professional contract in The London Cabaret Club’s upcoming production La Vita è Dolce.
Tasha said: “It’s been such an honour and full circle moment to be a mentor on this programme with The King's Trust and The London Cabaret Club. Dance has shaped so much of who I am, and I also know firsthand how tough it can be to break into such a competitive industry. Being part of these young people’s journey over the last two weeks, watching their confidence grow and seeing them embrace new skills, makes me incredibly proud. I can’t wait to see this generation of performers shine.”
Herbie, a participant, added: “The performing arts sector can be hard to break into, particularly if you are from certain backgrounds. Training, development and employment opportunities are often sparse, costly and very competitive. Getting to learn first-hand from industry professionals somewhere as iconic as the London Cabaret Club has been an unforgettable experience. I am grateful to The King’s Trust for making opportunities like this available to young people like me to gain invaluable skills and experience that we otherwise may not have had.”
The programme was launched in response to growing barriers to creative careers. Research commissioned by The London Cabaret Club found that 40% of parents are priced out of after-school clubs, while 64% believe schools prioritise core academic subjects over creative ones.
Sharon Gyimah, Head of Delivery at The King’s Trust, said: “Access to real-world experience and confidence-building opportunities is vital for young people looking to build a future in the creative industries. This gala performance is a powerful example of how partnerships like this can open doors and help young people move closer to careers they’re passionate about.”
The gala highlighted the long-term commitment of The London Cabaret Club and The King’s Trust to supporting emerging talent, offering young performers a clear pathway into the entertainment industry.
