Strictly Come Dancing finalist Karen Carney has shared a powerful and emotional insight into her journey on the hit BBC show, revealing how it helped repair her "crushed" confidence just days before the grand final.
From Sporting Star to Dance Floor
The 38-year-old former sporting star, who was born in Solihull, has danced her way to the last episode of the series with her professional partner, Carlos Gu. Together, they have consistently impressed the judges and captivated audiences, particularly in her home region of Birmingham.
This Saturday, 20 December, Carney will compete against West End performer Amber Davies and content creator George Clarke for the coveted Glitterball Trophy. For the final, she is set to perform three dances: to Inner Smile by Texas, Red Right Hand by Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds, and One Way Or Another by Blondie.
A Heartfelt Confession on Confidence
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the final, Carney opened up about the profound personal impact her Strictly experience has had. She confessed to having been a "massive fan" of the programme for years and explained she had openly struggled with her confidence for a long period.
"For probably the last five or six years, I’ve been open and honest about how I’ve been crushed quite a lot in terms of my confidence, and I couldn’t figure out how to fix that," Carney revealed.
She described a deeply held belief that appearing on Strictly would be the solution. "I always knew in my heart Strictly would be the thing I think that would fix me," she said, explaining how watching the show from her sofa provided a weekly escape where she could "forget about everything else."
"The Happiest I've Ever Been"
Carney confirmed that her hope had been realised, stating that the show provided the "safe environment" she needed. Her experience has been overwhelmingly positive, fundamentally changing her outlook.
"It’s rebuilt my confidence… it’s by far the happiest I’ve ever been. I’ve smiled like I’ve never smiled before, and I’m forever grateful to the show and to Carlos for that," she said emotionally.
The finalist also spoke of a sense of responsibility to the viewers at home, inspired by her own experience as a fan. She feels a duty to pass on the joy the show gave her, aiming to give back a smile to everyone watching through her performances.
As the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 series reaches its climax, Karen Carney's story stands as a testament to the show's power to transform, offering far more than just dance steps to its participants.
