Who won Strictly Come Dancing this year?

Karen Carney, a former footballer, won Strictly Come Dancing with her partner Carlos Gu.

Why did Karen Carney join Strictly Come Dancing?

Karen Carney joined Strictly Come Dancing to rebuild her confidence after facing years of negative feedback as a pundit.

What is Karen Carney's background?

Karen Carney is a former England international footballer and now works as a pundit for sports broadcasts.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Footballer Karen Carney lifts Strictly Glitterball

Footballer Karen Carney lifts Strictly Glitterball

23 Dec

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Summary

Karen Carney, first footballer to win Strictly, felt 'rebuilt' by the show.
She endured years of 'crushing' negative feedback as a pundit.
Strictly provided positive reinforcement after decades of criticism.

Footballer Karen Carney lifts Strictly Glitterball

Former England star Karen Carney has been crowned the champion of Strictly Come Dancing, marking a historic moment as the first footballer to achieve this feat. Alongside her professional partner Carlos Gu, Carney lifted the coveted Glitterball trophy after a season of dedicated performances.

Carney shared that her participation in the popular dance competition was a transformative experience. She explained that the punditry work she had undertaken for several years had been 'crushing,' leading to a significant decline in her confidence. Strictly provided her with a much-needed opportunity to rebuild, offering positive reinforcement that she hadn't experienced for decades.

Despite a challenging journey, including initial struggles after a strong start, Carney and Gu's performances improved significantly, particularly after their memorable Halloween routine. The victory has been widely celebrated, with Carney expressing profound gratitude for the support throughout her Strictly journey, highlighting the unique bond she formed with her dance partner.