Karen Carney reveals how Strictly ‘fixed’ her after years of crippling insecurities following retirement from professional football

Karen Carney has credited Strictly Come Dancing for ‘fixing’ her after struggling with crippling insecurities since retiring from football.

The former England international, who earned a record 144 caps for the Lionesses, is favourite to win Saturday’s final with partner Carlos Gu, having impressed audiences and judges alike with their performances on the dancefloor.

Showcasing her dancing in front of millions of viewers is something the Birmingham-born star, 38, could never have imagined after hanging up her boots in 2019.

Despite moving into punditry for Sky Sports and ITV, Karen experienced a dip in confidence which she has been open about throughout her Strictly experience.

The BBC series has encouraged her to open up about her past struggles, helping her regain self-assurance and appreciation for her own talents.

Speaking to the Daily Mail ahead of Saturday’s final, the former Arsenal and Chelsea star admits that Strictly rescued her from the doldrums and gave her mojo back.

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Karen Carney has credited Strictly Come Dancing for ‘fixing’ her after struggling with crippling insecurities since retiring from football

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The former England international is favourite to win Saturday’s final with partner Carlos Gu, having impressed audiences and judges alike with their performances on the dancefloor

She said: ‘I joined the show because I’m a massive fan. For the past five to six years I have been honest about how I have been crushed quite a lot in terms of my confidence.

‘I couldn’t figure out how to fix that. So, part of me thought if I could ever have the opportunity to throw myself into what I thought would be – I always felt in my heart that Strictly would be the thing that would fix me, I don’t know why.

‘Every Saturday I would watch it at home, and I would forget about everything else, and I would fall in love with everybody and just enjoy their journeys.

‘I thought if I ever had the opportunity and privilege to join it, I thought it would be the safe environment to fix me and help me again and it absolutely has.’

On the show rebuilding her confidence, and the role Carlos has played, she continued: ‘This guy next to me has definitely done that for me, and it’s by far the happiest I have ever been.

‘I have smiled like I have never smiled before, and I am forever grateful to the show and to Carlos for that.

‘For me, that is enough and Strictly gives so much to people, I feel particularly from watching it that I have a responsibility to give it everything and smile because I know when I’ve sat on the sofa, it’s helped me so I believe I have that responsibility to give that back to everyone at home.’

Karen has certainly been the surprise package of the 2025 series.

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Despite transitioning from professional football to punditry for Sky Sports and ITV, Karen experienced a dip in confidence (pictured 2017)

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Karen explained that, despite her competitive and dedicated nature as a sportsperson, she sees her fellow finalists, Amber Davies and George Clarke, as her teammates

Little was known of her dancing background before signing up for the show, but she impressed from the early stages and continued to elevate her performances week by week.

She has avoided the dreaded dance-off, a sign of her popularity with viewers, and scored a perfect 40 from the four judges for their Couple’s Choice routine to Lady Gaga’s Born This Way.

After topping the leaderboard in last weekend’s semi-final, Karen is now poised to take the final step toward winning the Glitterball though she remains modest about her chances.

She said: ‘I genuinely never believed I would get to the final. During week one’s jive there were no expectations for me and Carlos.

‘We just thought we would go out there, smile, and have the best time. The reaction was just strange afterwards… we just danced and gave it everything.

‘For us performing the jive again is the perfect way to end the Strictly journey. It was just so fun and unexpected.

‘We don’t expect anything from Saturday other than having a good time.’

Karen explained that, despite her competitive and dedicated nature as a sportsperson, she sees her fellow finalists, West End performer Amber Davies and YouTuber George Clarke, as her teammates.

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After topping the leaderboard in last weekend’s semi-final, Karen is now poised to take the final step toward winning the Glitterball though she remains modest about her chances

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For Carlos, lifting the Glitterball would be extra special, as he would become the first Asian and openly gay professional to be crowned Strictly champion

She added that coping with how quickly her professional football career felt to pass has taught her to appreciate and live in the moment before it’s all over.

Speaking about the possibility of lifting the Glitterball trophy, she said: ‘I am pretty chilled and relaxed about it, if I’m honest. I don’t really see this as a competition.

‘I genuinely see these guys as my teammates. I would have their backs all day, every day, maybe that’s the athlete in me. I would back them until the cows come home.

‘All I want, and what I learned from being an athlete, is that things can be over very quickly. One minute I was a 17-year-old footballer bursting onto the scene, and the next I was retired and couldn’t move. It goes very, very fast.

‘For me, this experience has been about enjoying every second and staying in the moment. I’ve tried to enjoy it with my teammates. It’s not about the Glitterball, it’s much bigger than that. All I ever wanted was to go out there and have the best time.’

For Carlos, lifting the Glitterball would be extra special, as he would become the first Asian and openly gay professional to be crowned Strictly champion.

The 31-year-old Chinese dancer broke down in tears when asked about the possibility of a historic win, with Karen summarising his emotions for him.

She added: ‘He is obviously emotional about that. Carlos is an amazing person and for me that’s the most important thing in a partner and whatever the outcome is for any of us, first and foremost he’s a wonderful person and a fantastic dancer. I’m glad someone else has made him cry. Strictly is much more than just dancing.’