On Saturday night, Karen Hauer will become the first female professional dancer on Strictly (and only the third in total, after Brendan and Anton) to reach the milestone of performing one hundred routines with a celebrity partner on the show.

On last night’s launch show, it was revealed that her hundredth routine will be an American Smooth with Paul Merson to the football anthem ‘Vindaloo’ by Fat Les; Karen admitted “I don’t know how I am going to choreograph it…It’s called an ‘American Smooth’ but it might be a little bit – er – different!” This sounds creative and we look forward to seeing what Karen comes up with.

In the meantime, in celebration of this impressive accomplishment, let’s take a look back at some of Karen’s most memorable routines on the show.

Routine #1: The first impression

• Celebrity: Nicky Byrne
• When: Series 10 (2012), Week 1
• Dance: Waltz, 17 (2,5,5,5)

Karen joined Strictly in 2012, and in her first series was partnered with ‘Westlife’ singer Nicky Byrne. They began their campaign with a Waltz, after which Karen was reprimanded by Craig for including an illegal lift, and called her the female version of Brendan Cole!

This would be first of five occasions that Craig would award a score of ‘2’ for a Karen routine. The duo would overcome this slow start by progressing all the way to the Quarter-Final.

Routine #13: A crowd favourite

• Celebrity: Dave Myers
• When: Series 11 (2013), Week 3
• Dance: Paso Doble, 16 (2,5,5,4)

Earlier this year, Karen appeared on Good Morning Britain and when talking about her celebrity partners, said that…

“I love them all but one that is very close to my heart is Dave Myers, who I absolutely adored. He was just everything, he was a bundle of joy. Because of him I started to enjoy Strictly and made sure I was being myself at all times and not taking myself too seriously.”

It was claimed in the press that Karen & Dave’s Paso Doble received the longest standing ovation in the show’s history!

Routine #30: Semi-final drama

• Celebrity: Mark Wright
• When: Series 12 (2014), Week 12
• Dance: Rumba, 33 (9,8,8,8)

In Karen’s third series, she was partnered with reality TV star Mark Wright.  In the Semi-Final, the duo would fall into the dance-off for a third time.

Having the option to either perform their Viennese Waltz or Rumba again (both having received scores of 33), they bravely chose the Rumba.  This gamble paid off as the 2-2 split in the judging panel went in their favour, thanks to head judge Len’s casting vote.

Routine #36: Last, but not least

• Celebrity: Jeremy Vine
• When: Series 13 (2015), Week 4
• Dance: Jive, 20 (3,6,6,5)

The following year, Karen was partnered with broadcaster Jeremy Vine. This Jive routine is one of fourteen occasions that Karen, and her partner, have found themselves in sole possession of last place on the Judges’ Leaderboard; a total only exceeded by Anton du Beke and Katya Jones.

On this occasion, the public disagreed with the Judges’ verdict; and Jeremy remained in the show for another four weeks.

Routine #41: A good first impression

• Celebrity: Will Young
• When: Series 14 (2016), Week 1
• Dance: Tango, 30 (8,8,7,7)

It’s fair to say that Karen has not been blessed with the strongest set of celebrity partners when based on the natural ability they showed on the dance floor. One exception to this was when she was partnered with ‘Pop Idol’ winner Will Young in 2016.

This performance is the only time (so far) that Karen has received a score higher than 25 in Week 1. Sadly however, Will did not enjoy the Strictly experience, and made the choice to leave the show after Week 3.

Routine #54: Quality Street

• Celebrity: Charles Venn
• When: Series 16 (2018), Week 5
• Dance: Couple’s Choice, 36 (9,9,9,9)

The polarising Couple’s Choice dance style was first introduced to Strictly in Series 16. Partnering actor Charles Venn, Karen closed Week 5 with a Street/Commercial routine; only the second Couple’s Choice performance on the show (the first was performed earlier that night by Lauren Steadman & AJ). Their score of 36, set a high standard that others would have to try to match.

Routine #58: First tens!

• Celebrity: Charles Venn
• When: Series 16 (2018), Week 9
• Dance: Samba, 38 (9,9,10,10)

Out of the 44 professional dancers who have received at least one ‘ten’ on Strictly, Karen had to endure the second longest wait (after Anton) to experience her first one.

Karen’s first ten (which was awarded by Shirley), was earned with a Samba performed at the Blackpool Tower ballroom with Charles. Bruno also awarded a ten.

Routine #61: Lowest score

• Celebrity: Chris Ramsay
• When: Series 17 (2019), Week 1
• Dance: Cha Cha Cha, 13 (3,4,3,3)

Karen’s lowest score on the show came in her first performance with comedian Chris Ramsay. Indeed, out of the 233 Cha Cha Cha routines ever performed on Strictly, only four have received a lower score than the 13 points Chris & Karen received.

Despite this inauspicious start, the duo successfully progressed all the way to the Semi-Final in Series 17.

Routine #78: Table topper

• Celebrity: Jamie Laing
• When: Series 18 (2020), Week 5
• Dance: Couple’s Choice, 29 (9,10,10)

Karen’s first (and so far, only) time at the top of a weekly Leaderboard came in Series 18 when partnered with reality TV star Jamie Laing. Their ‘Street’ Couple’s Choice routine received ‘tens’ from both Shirley and Anton; which helped them finish ahead of the likes of Maisie & Gorka’s Salsa and HRVY & Janette’s Tango.

Although it would take four dance-off victories to get there, this Series also saw Karen reach her second Strictly Final.

Routine #93: First same sex partnership

• Celebrity: Jayde Adams
• When: Series 20 (2022), Week 4
• Dance: American Smooth, 31 (7,8,8,8)

After dancing with nine male celebrity partners, in Series 20 Karen participated in the second all-female partnership on Strictly, when paired with comedian Jayde Adams.

They received their highest score of the Series for this American Smooth, with a performance dedicated to Jayde’s late sister.