Karen Carney Stuns on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’

Former England footballer Karen Carney wowed audiences with an impressive debut on Strictly Come Dancing last Saturday. Performing a football-inspired Jive with her professional partner Carlos Gu, she left the judges and viewers in awe as she took the last slot on the dancefloor.

Judge Motsi Mabuse praised her performance, noting the remarkable level of control and energy, saying, “I’ve never seen anything like that. You kept everything close to your center and performed with such intensity.” Mabuse’s words reflected the overwhelming positive reaction to Carney’s effort, which earned her the highest score of the night—31 points. This achievement marked her as the first former footballer to top the leaderboard in nearly two decades.

The night also spotlighted other ex-footballers, including Jimmy Ffloyd Hasselbaink, who debuted with partner Lauren Oakley, finishing third with 27 points. Fans quickly took to social media to praise Carney’s performance, with many expressing surprise and admiration.

One fan remarked, “Producing such a fantastic dance in week one and leading the leaderboard—this series is going to be extraordinary.” Others appreciated her humble attitude, with one comment highlighting her gratitude and professionalism during her post-performance interview.

Carney’s ex-teammate Jill Scott humorously admitted in a previous interview that Carney “can dance, and it’s annoying,” illustrating her unexpected talent. Even the show’s critical judge, Craig Revel Horwood, called her routine “ridiculous” in the most positive sense, praising the quality of her dance and the professionalism of her performance.

As the series continues, viewers eagerly anticipate seeing Carney and Hasselbaink back on the dancefloor. The chemistry and talent displayed on Saturday suggest a promising season ahead.

Karen Carney stunned audiences with her debut on Saturday