STRICTLY fans are convinced that they’ve spotted a feud after one of professional dancers ‘struggled to look happy’ meeting their celebrity partner.
The 22nd series of the BBC show returned to our screens on Saturday night.
Karen is dancing with Paul on Strictly[/caption]
Viewers finally got to find out who has been paired with who – and some think that one dancer’s face said it all when she met hers.
Karen Hauer is dancing with former professional footballer Paul Merson this year.
Many took to the internet to say the same thing – that she didn’t look happy about her celebrity partner this year.
One wrote on discussion website Reddit: “Wow Karen was struggling to look happy when she met Paul.”
Another chimed in: “I really wish Karen had been benched instead of Lauren this year. It feels unfair that she’s had a partner every year but her enthusiasm for the show seems to get lower and lower each year.
She came across as really rude.”
A third said on X, formerly known as Twitter: “Paul Merson doesn’t want to be partnered with Karen lol I can see another Will Young exit type lol #Strictly2024.”
A fourth shared a gif of a woman screaming with the text: “#Strictly Karen on the inside when she saw Paul Merson.”
The pair’s first interaction was caught on camera and played at the end of Saturday night’s opening episode.
Speaking to the camera, Paul said: “I’m pleased, I’m very pleased.”
Karen interrupted and said: “Hey! Give me a smile.”
Later on in the studio, Claudia Winkleman told him: “Paul, you’re with our longest serving pro – the unblievable Karen.
“How happy are you?”
A quiet Paul replied: “Yeah, well pleased.”
The studio burst into laughter as he added: “The two oldest together.”
Strictly 2024 pairings
Here’s who is matched with who this series…
Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell
Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas
JB Gill and Amy Dowden MBE
Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe
Nick Knowles and Luba Mushtuk
Paul Merson and Karen Hauer
Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystał
Punam Krishan and Gorka Márquez
Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec
Tom Dean MBE and Nadiya Bychkova
Toyah Willcox and Neil Jones
Sam Quek MBE and Nikita Kuzmin
Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola
Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu
Wynne Evans and Katya Jones
Karen told the presenter that she thinks that they are going to have “a lot of fun together”.
The two are dancing an American Smooth to Fat Les’ Vindaloo.
Last week it was reported that the star is reportedly ‘fuming’ about the chosen song.
The Sun revealed that Paul had signed up to Strictly in July.
A source on the BBC show said: “Paul will be a popular addition.”
The following month his place on the show was confirmed.
Paul said on The One Show: “Joining Strictly is a whole new ball game for me, but I’m going to tackle this challenge head on. I’m ready to swap the pitch for the Ballroom floor, so here’s hoping my two left feet can learn some moves and you never know, maybe I’ll be taking home the Glitterball Trophy!”
He added: “I am sure when it starts I will be nervous.
“I have danced three times in my life- they were all at my wedding.”
