Strictly Come Dancing fans have erupted in protest, claiming that sports pundit and former footballer Karen Carney was unfairly 'stitched up' during the latest live show. Viewers were left disappointed and frustrated by what they deemed a 'ropey' performance from the fan-favourite, placing the blame squarely on a controversial musical selection.
Fan Fury Over 'Inappropriate' Music
The uproar began on Saturday night when Karen Carney, 38, and her professional partner Carlos Gu, 32, took to the floor. Their Charleston was set to a mash-up of Diana Ross's 'Upside Down' and Aretha Franklin's 'Think'. Despite their energetic efforts, which earned them a mid-table score of 35 points, the performance failed to win over the audience at home.
Social media platform X became the hub for viewer discontent. One fan passionately declared, "She’s been stitched right up with that song choice. Sure not a 10, the lifts were pretty ropey." Another critic was scathing in their assessment, stating, "How to ruin a Charleston – make them dance to totally inappropriate music …"
The criticism was widespread, with a third viewer commenting on the disconnect between the dance and the music: "Karen [did] such an energetic dance and so well done just hated the song choice." A fourth echoed this sentiment, admitting the music was so off-putting it distracted from the routine itself: "I’ve no idea what the dance was like, the music put me right off, tho what I did see was fast and a tad messy."
A Stark Contrast: Judges' Praise vs. Public Opinion
In a surprising twist that further fuelled the debate, the Strictly judges did not share the public's negative view. While fans at home were lamenting the performance, the panel on the show offered praise for Karen and Carlos's routine. This created a clear divide between the professional opinion in the ballroom and the sentiment of the viewing public.
This is not the first time Karen has impressed on the dance floor. The former England Lioness had previously shot to the top of the leaderboard with an incredible jive, showcasing a natural talent that many attributed to her background in professional football.
Karen's Secret Dance Past Revealed
Interestingly, Karen Carney's agility on the Strictly floor is not a complete surprise. Before she became a football star, she was a trained dancer. In a resurfaced interview with the FA, Karen admitted, "I enjoyed football when I was a kid... but I didn’t join my first club until I was 11. Until then, it was all about dancing for me."
She revealed a gruelling schedule from her youth, training for three hours on Saturdays before competing in "big events" on Sundays. However, when she faced a choice between her two passions at the age of 15, football ultimately won her heart, and she quit dancing to focus on the sport.
Reflecting on how her dance training helped her football career, Karen explained, "My agility, my strength, my power and how I move my feet during a match are all definitely down to dancing, 100 per cent." This hidden history adds a poignant layer to the current controversy, proving her capability as a performer, even if one particular routine divided the nation.
