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She’s might’ve had roaring success as a Lioness – achieving 144 England caps and winning five FA cups over her career, before transitioning to professional punditry – but Karen Carney admits the football pitch is a walk in the park compared to the Strictly dance floor. Karen, 38, who’s impressed the judges and fans alike, tells us rehearsals are no easy feat.
‘Being on Strictly is way harder than football – I said that to Jill Scott the other day. Honestly, it’s intense. If you look at my dance partner Carlos [Wu], he’s a phenomenal athlete. He’s got strength, power, flexibility, finesse, stamina – I don’t have all of that! In football, I pass the ball and as long as it gets there, that’s fine. But on Strictly, if I get my toe wrong, that’s it!’
But despite the high stakes Karen insists she’s determined to enjoy each week. She adds, ‘I think sport has taught me to relax. I regret some of my footballing career because I didn’t get to enjoy it and put too much pressure on myself. So, I’ve made a promise on this show to enjoy every second of it, because Strictly is a once-in-a- lifetime opportunity.’
Has being a former Lioness prepared you for Strictly?
karen's smashing it on strictly ©Marco Vittur
Because of my football training, I do understand the importance of repetition. I get frustrated if I don’t get a move right, as I would’ve on the pitch. Sport has also taught me you’re always going to be tired. In football, I’d lean into it, whereas I shrug it From the pitch to the paso With her pro dance partner Carlos off now as I’ve got no choice but to carry on.
Are you hoping the dance floor will show a different side to you?
Definitely. Doing football hasn’t shown the true Karen. On the pitch, I had to be resilient, have a bit of a guard up, and have my game face on. Even with broadcasting, I’m serious and I can’t mess it up, but actually I’m not that confident. With Strictly, I’m just so happy. I’m loving every second and I feel free. How is your partnership with Carlos?
When I first met him, I thought, ‘We’re polar opposites.’ He’s theatrical and flamboyant, whereas I’m reserved. The more I get to know him, I can see he’s so kind, sweet and protective. I believe I was paired with him because he will bring out a different side to me, which is why I signed up to Strictly. I also wanted to gain confidence, and I don’t believe anyone could get that out of me other than Carlos. His exact words were, ‘I want to turn you from a caterpillar into a butterfly.’ I’m honoured to dance with someone of his calibre. That said, our first rehearsals went horrendously. I elbowed him in the nose, and he had a nosebleed. We didn’t complete the dress rehearsal, because he rolled his ankle before the live show and had to get it taped up.
How are you coping fitness-wise?
I didn’t know I was going to be on the show till last minute, so I didn’t have time to prepare. To do the jive, I said to Carlos, [Wu], he’s a phenomenal athlete. He’s got strength, power, flexibility, finesse, stamina – I don’t have all of that! In football, I pass the ball and as long as it gets there, that’s fine. But on Strictly, if I get my toe wrong, that’s it!’
from the pitch to the paso ©Marco Vittur
But despite the high stakes Karen insists she’s determined to enjoy each week. She adds, ‘I think sport has taught me to relax. I regret some of my footballing career because I didn’t get to enjoy it and put too much pressure on myself. So, I’ve made a promise on this show to enjoy every second of it, because Strictly is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.’
Has being a former Lioness prepared you for Strictly?
Because of my football training, I do understand the importance of repetition. I get frustrated if I don’t get a move right, as I would’ve on the pitch. Sport has also taught me you’re always going to be tired. In football, I’d lean into it, whereas I shrug it off now as I’ve got no choice but to carry on.
Are you hoping the dance floor will show a different side to you?
Definitely. Doing football hasn’t shown the true Karen. On the pitch, I had to be resilient, have a bit of a guard up, and have my game face on. Even with broadcasting, I’m serious and I can’t mess it up, but actually I’m not that confident. With Strictly, I’m just so happy. I’m loving every second and I feel free.
How is your partnership with Carlos?
When I first met him, I thought, ‘We’re polar opposites.’ He’s theatrical and flamboyant, whereas I’m reserved. The more I get to know him, I can see he’s so kind, sweet and protective. I believe I was paired with him because he will bring out a different side to me, which is why I signed up to Strictly. I also wanted to gain confidence, and I don’t believe anyone could get that out of me other than Carlos. His exact words were, ‘I want to turn you from a caterpillar into a butterfly.’ I’m honoured to dance with someone of his calibre. That said, our first rehearsals went horrendously. I elbowed him in the nose, and he had a nosebleed. We didn’t complete the dress rehearsal, because he rolled his ankle before the live show and had to get it taped up.
How are you coping fitness-wise?
I didn’t know I was going to be on the show till last minute, so I didn’t have time to prepare. To do the jive, I said to Carlos, ‘I am not fit enough’, so we did daily skipping to get my fitness levels up.
Have you noticed any improvements?
I’ve improved my overall muscle mass – I lost a lot of muscle playing football, and I’m getting it back. I’ve also realised how bad my posture and back is. I have a curve in the top of my spine and physically can’t get into certain positions, so that will be a challenge. But Carlos takes photos of me every day in hold, and I can see my position is improving somewhat.
You were top in week one. Are you in it to win it?
I’ve not thought about winning once. I love the show, and everyone will get bored of me saying it, but I’m just grateful to be on it. Sports humbles you massively. In the 2012 Olympics, we were flying through our matches and expected to win the quarter finals, and when we got beaten, it felt like we got smacked in the stomach and the wind was taken out of us. Sport can take you on amazing highs and dramatic lows, so I never build myself up. I’m humbled very quickly – there’s no chance of me getting carried away! My aim isn’t to win – it’s just to enjoy a show that I love.
GET THE BEST CELEB INTERVIEWS IN HEAT MAGAZINE EACH WEEK ©Bauer Media
You’ve always been a Strictly mega-fan…
I’ve been obsessed! I tried to get tickets to the show for years and went for the first time last year. The talent team knew I was a mega-fan, and I got the chance to be on It Takes Two, which was amazing in itself. I’ve watched every single series, and my favourite partnerships have been Hamza and Jowita, and Chris and Dianne. I know Chris because we used to live in the same building. For me, him and Dianne will always be iconic. He texted me a few times on the launch show and gave me some advice. He said, ‘You’ll be bricking it, but just tell yourself that you’ll enjoy it’ – that’s exactly what I did.
And you have a few other celebrity fans?
I’ve got a WhatsApp group called ‘Karen’s Counsel’ – with Sara Davies, she texts daily; Anneka Rice; Claire Balding and her wife Alice; and Richard Osman. They’re always messaging to say well done.
Which celebs have you bonded with?
I was gutted Dani Dyer left, I’m still messaging her. Vicky is my go-to, she’s always there for a bear hug. Ellie is so cheeky – she cracks me up and is a bundle of joy. And I was starstruck when I met Stefan!
What do you make of the judges?
When I saw Shirley at the launch show, I was so shy and humbled to meet her. Carlos shows me videos of her most days while we’re training, because she’s the queen of the spins. There was one video where she did 30 in a row, I can barely do three. She’s insane – I respect her so much. Everyone says Craig is lovely, I just haven’t had much contact time with him. Motsi is fun! She danced on the first show and was unreal. Carlos says she’s one of the best dancers he’s ever seen.