Karen Carney’s journey on Strictly Come Dancing 2025 has been nothing short of remarkable. From a celebrated football career to captivating audiences on the dance floor, she’s now a semi-finalist, defying expectations and embracing a completely new challenge.
The early weeks presented hurdles, a stark contrast to the consistent triumphs of her athletic past. It wasn’t until Halloween week, with a powerful Argentine Tango inspired by *Peaky Blinders*, that she truly found her stride. That performance ignited a fire, a determination to push further with each dance.
Carney acknowledges a history of footballers struggling on the show, a pattern she was initially unaware of. She laughs, admitting a certain naiveté, but quickly adds that she chose to focus solely on her own progress, refusing to be defined by past performances of others.
She stands on the cusp of potentially breaking a nearly two-decade-long streak, aiming to become the first Strictly finalist from the world of sport since cricketer Mark Ramprakash’s victory in 2006. But for Carney, the preparation for these high-stakes performances feels fundamentally different than preparing for a major football final.
Years of rigorous football training instilled a deep understanding of the game, a comfort level that simply doesn’t exist on the dance floor. “Strictly is very unfamiliar and out of my comfort zone,” she explains. Yet, her football experience taught her a crucial lesson: to savor the moment, to rediscover the joy often lost in the pressure of professional competition.
Interestingly, Carney describes herself as “introverted” on the pitch, a place where unrestrained personality should thrive. Strictly, however, has unlocked a newfound freedom. She feels uninhibited, able to fully express herself through movement and performance.
She approaches each performance with a singular focus, echoing the mindset of a seasoned athlete facing a crucial match. “I just want to nail the performance as best as I can each Saturday,” she states, a sentiment shared with her dance partner, Carlos Gu.
Despite her unwavering spirit, the physical toll is undeniable. “I’m a pretty broken ex-footballer if I’m being brutally honest,” she admits with a wry smile. Each dance reveals new aches and pains, a testament to the demanding nature of the competition.
Carney’s story extends beyond the football field and the dance floor. She’s a pioneer for women’s football in England, a trailblazer who helped lay the foundation for the sport’s current success. Her transition to TV punditry, however, wasn’t without its challenges.
She faced online abuse, a harsh reality that forced her to temporarily step away from social media. But she returned to television coverage, undeterred, and continues to be a prominent voice in the world of sports broadcasting.
That resilience, she attributes to a steadfast refusal to give up, nurtured by a supportive network of family and friends. It’s a quality instilled by her parents, working-class individuals who emphasized the importance of hard work and perseverance.
“My mum and dad were working-class grafters,” she reflects. “They instilled in me a work ethic – it was a strong fundamental thing.” She carries her mother’s words with her: “If you want them that badly, you’ll work hard for them.”
The camaraderie among the Strictly contestants has also been a source of strength. She describes them as “teammates,” bound by a shared experience of vulnerability and mutual respect. “We’re really supportive of each other,” she says, “We need people around us.”
As she prepares for the semi-final results show, Karen Carney embodies a spirit of determination, resilience, and a newfound joy in embracing the unexpected. She’s given everything she has to this journey, and whatever the outcome, she’ll know she left it all on the dance floor.
