DANCE MATTERS –
Jan. 2, 2026 – The Strictly Come Dancing star has candidly opened up about masking her problems with alcohol and how the “bravest” move she made was to stop “running from myself”. In a deeply personal admission, she shared to Instagram on New Year’s Eve (31.12.25): “One year alcohol free.. I faced my raw self for the first time … scared, sad, angry. But also clearer. Pausing. Progressing.
“I hid behind ‘just having fun’, but deep down I was closing my eyes tightly, gritting my teeth, hoping the pain would stop. “Turns out the bravest thing I’ve done was stop running from myself.
“Now I’m slowly better at reasoning with myself understanding why I feel the way I do and allowing myself to feel it all. Even when my heartbeat races and my mind overthinks. That’s my process of healing and I’m okay with that.”
“Here’s to many more positive days ahead, with love, support and my little family – Simon and my four gorgeous dogs.”
Meanwhile, Karen previously admitted she goes into “hibernation mode” and distances herself from everyone when the BBC One Latin and ballroom show ends.
The 43-year-old star – who is the longest-serving professional dancer on the programme, having joined in 2012 – has admitted the job is “overwhelming” and she is left feeling “quite empty” when the season ends and needs to “shut down” and “refill herself”.
“Turns out the bravest thing I’ve done was stop running from myself. Now I’m slowly better at reasoning with myself understanding why I feel the way I do and allowing myself to feel it all. Even when my heartbeat races and my mind overthinks. That’s my process of healing and I’m okay with that. Take care of yourselves in 2026.”
