'Strictly’s' Karen Hauer ‘prefers dancing with women’ after Jayde Adams pairing

Strictly Come Dancing pro Karen Hauer has admitted she prefers dancing with women after being in a female partnership with comedian Jayde Adams.

The pair have been going for the glitterball this year on the BBC One talent show, and have been praised for their close bond as well as their emotional performances.

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On Saturday night (October 15), the couple moved the judges to tears with their American Smooth to Bette Midler's 'Wind Beneath My Wings', which was dedicated to the Alma's Not Normal star's late sister Jenna, who died in 2011 from an inoperable brain tumour.

Before the show even began, Jayde said she wanted a same-sex partnership as a show of 'sisterhood', and it seems that's exactly what she's got with Karen, who has praised their work together.

WATCH: Jayde Adams and Karen Hauer American Smooth on 'Strictly Come Dancing'

Speaking to The Sun, Karen said: "I’ve danced with a lot of male dancers, but it’s finding what works for them. This is more natural.

“It is female empowerment for me to be dancing with Jayde. I feel the most comfortable because there is that friendship. We are girls and we talk about everything.

"We cry together, we laugh together. We share so many things. When it comes to the dancing we are able to put that emotion into it."

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Ahead of their latest routine, Jayde was seen crying in rehearsals as Karen comforted her, saying: "The lyrics really resonate... [my sister] was two years older than me and she died 11 years ago. I didn't just lose a sister, I lost a best friend, a dance partner. This song in particular is very special to me and my family and I hope I can do it justice this week."

The couple ended week four of the competition in the middle of the leaderboard, earning 31 points for a routine that resulted in head judge Shirley Ballas and Motsi Mabuse in tears.

"I feel like you're my hero," Shirley told the pair. "You've represented this number with everybody who's lost a loved one. I'm really emotional. I'm sure your sister would be proud of you."

When Claudia spoke to Jayde afterwards and mentioned Jenna, the star broke down, and said: "Something she said to my mum before she died, 'Do you think people will forget me?' You just said her name on this and…"

"I'm so lucky that I get to do this, because so many people lose people and grief is so difficult.

"To be able to keep the promise that we wouldn't let people forget her is the greatest gift."

Strictly Come Dancing airs Saturdays at 6.30pm on BBC One.

WATCH: Jayde Adams partnered with Karen Hauer on 'Strictly Come Dancing 2022'