STRICTLY Come Dancing celebrates its 20th anniversary this year – and the past stars are stillllll dancing!
Hanna Karttunen was an original professional dancer on the BBC favourite, joining the show on its launch in 2004.
A Latin American exhibition dancer, the Finnish star was partnered with actor Christopher Parker – famed for playing Spencer Moon on EastEnders.
The pair proved divisive, often getting low marks with the Strictly judges – which at the time were Len Goodman, Craig Revel Horwood, Arlene Phillips and Bruno Tonioli.
But they proved to be such fan favourites they made it through to the finals and safe from the dance-off each week.
They eventually placed second in the competition, being beaten by newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky and her pro partner Brendan Cole.
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Hanna opted not to return for the second season, bowing out of the show on a high, but has continued to perform around the world.
Now, Hanna is spending most of her days teaching her craft, and looks barely recognisable from the TV star she was 20 years ago.
However, her glamorous side remains in tact, still using any opportunity to wear ballroom gowns, sequins and glitter when she can.
The star, whose hair changed from brunette to blonde throughout Strictly season one, is now a spiky blonde pixie cut.
She still has her tiny dancer's frame, although now works largely as a teacher.
Partnering with Victor Da Silva in 2004, Hanna represented South Africa at the World Championships and British Open Championships in the Exhibition Style, with the pair winning both three times.
While Hanna took a hiatus from her partnership with Victor in her group for a year in order to return to her Latin American roots, she has continued to perform with him ever since.
Hanna also has become a sought-after teacher and trainer, and will appear at Guerrera Dance Camp in September.
She has an online dance school, Love to Dance by Hanna, and has shared secrets to her dancing figure with full body conditioning classes through her other business, Go Figure by Hanna.
The star also holds special classes in order to raise money for those on the front line in Ukraine, with a special interest in young dancers from the country who want to keep dancing.
