Strictly Come Dancing’s 20th Anniversary: Where Are They Now? Spotlight on Hanna Karttunen

Strictly Come Dancing is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, and the stars from the show’s early days are still dancing! Hanna Karttunen, an original professional dancer on the BBC favorite, joined the show at its launch in 2004.

A Latin American exhibition dancer from Finland, Karttunen was paired with actor Christopher Parker, known for his role as Spencer Moon on EastEnders. The pair often received low marks from the judges – Len Goodman, Craig Revel Horwood, Arlene Phillips, and Bruno Tonioli – but became fan favorites, making it to the finals without facing a single dance-off.

Ultimately, Karttunen and Parker finished second, losing to newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky and her professional partner Brendan Cole. After her successful run on the show, Karttunen chose not to return for the second season, opting to leave on a high note. Since then, she has continued to perform worldwide, told The Sun.

Today, Karttunen spends most of her time teaching dance and looks almost unrecognizable from her TV star days 20 years ago. However, her glamorous side remains intact, as she still enjoys wearing ballroom gowns, sequins, and glitter whenever she can. Her hair, which transitioned from brunette to blonde during her time on Strictly, is now styled in a spiky blonde pixie cut.

Karttunen still maintains her petite dancer’s frame and focuses largely on teaching. Partnering with Victor Da Silva in 2004, she represented South Africa at the World Championships and British Open Championships in the Exhibition Style, winning both three times. Despite taking a hiatus from her partnership with Victor to return to her Latin American roots for a year, she has continued performing with him ever since.

Karttunen is now a sought-after teacher and trainer and will appear at Guerrera Dance Camp in September. She runs an online dance school called Love to Dance by Hanna and offers full-body conditioning classes through her other business, Go Figure by Hanna.

In addition to her teaching endeavors, Karttunen holds special classes to raise money for those on the front lines in Ukraine, with a particular focus on supporting young dancers from the country who want to continue their passion for dance. As Strictly Come Dancing celebrates its milestone anniversary, Hanna Karttunen’s enduring dedication to dance and her evolving career continue to inspire many.