Former Strictly Come Dancing star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey has spoken candidly about the profound and lasting friendship he forged with his professional dance partner, Karen Hauer, as they prepare to reunite for the show's live tour.
A Bond Forged in the Strictly Ballroom
The athlete, best known as 'Nitro' from the rebooted Gladiators, partnered with Hauer for the 2025 series of the BBC dance competition. The pair were eliminated in sixth place last December, but their connection has endured far beyond the final curtain call.
Now, the duo is set to return to the dance floor, with the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour commencing at Birmingham's Utilita Arena on Friday, January 23, running through to Sunday, January 25.
'Like Brother and Sister'
In an exclusive discussion just days before the tour begins, the 37-year-old sprinter described the unique and 'special' nature of their relationship. He emphasised its authenticity, drawing a familial comparison.
"We're so close and we're so friendly. We're like brother and sister," Harry revealed. "There's no fakeness to it... The moment we see each other is like we never left each other, and that's how you know there's a true friendship."
He elaborated on the intensity of their shared Strictly experience, stating it created an unbreakable bond. "That's kind of special in life because there's not many people you can say that you stood in the battlefield with, and you've gone toe-to-toe with each other and still have a friendship after that."
An Authentic Connection in a Demanding Industry
Professional dancer Karen Hauer passionately echoed her partner's sentiments, highlighting the value of their genuine rapport within the entertainment world.
"The worst thing to be in this industry is fake. And, you know, you have a lot of that," said Hauer. "It's nice to be able to form a relationship with someone that you actually care about and that you like to see succeed."
She detailed how their bond extended beyond the rehearsal studio, with families becoming intertwined. "We support each other, we love each other's families... It's nice to have that."
Hauer concluded by acknowledging the mutual reliance their partnership demanded: "He's not just relying on me, I'm relying on him as well. You have to have that respect, that bond [with] each other and that hard working mindset to make it through."
Tickets for the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour, starting in Birmingham this week, are available via StrictlyComeDancingLive.com.
