Strictly Come Dancing Champion Carlos Gu Unveils New Solo Venture
In an exclusive interview, Strictly Come Dancing star Carlos Gu has revealed his exciting new career move into a one-man show, blending his dancing prowess with a passion for singing. This announcement comes amid reports of multiple professional dancers being axed from the BBC show's lineup, though Carlos remained tight-lipped on the specifics.
From Glitterball Glory to Solo Spotlight
Carlos Gu, the 33-year-old dancer from Taiyuan, China, who won Strictly Come Dancing in 2025 with celebrity partner Karen Carney, is brimming with enthusiasm about his upcoming project. He described his move to London in 2022 to join the show as a "rebirth," allowing him to embrace his sexuality freely for the first time. Reflecting on his victory, Carlos shared how the experience with Karen helped him grow emotionally and become a more humble team player, a journey that melted viewers' hearts.
His new one-man show, set to debut in London, will feature both dancing and singing, marking a significant expansion of his artistic repertoire. Carlos expressed his long-standing love for singing, noting that he started taking lessons last year and now aims to pursue it professionally. "Dancing is sometimes not enough for me to express myself," he said. "Now I have more tools to do that. I know I'm going to be a performer until the day I die."
Behind the Scenes of Strictly Come Dancing
When asked about potential hosting roles on Strictly, Carlos laughed off the idea but hinted at a future as a judge. He praised former hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman as "iconic" and suggested a return to a one male, one female hosting duo, with Janette Manrara and Aljaž Škorjanec as his top picks.
Carlos highlighted several memorable moments from the show, including Chris McCausland's routines with Dianne Buswell, which he described as beautiful due to their intensity and trust. However, his own journey with Karen Carney, culminating in their Glitterball win, holds a special place in his heart. "It will stay in my heart for the rest of my life," he emotionally stated.
Discussing friendships forged on Strictly, Carlos emphasized the close-knit "family" atmosphere among the professionals. He mentioned Amy Dowden, Katya Jones, and Nikita Kuzmin as particularly close friends, noting that supportive colleagues make the demanding work easier. He also shared long-standing connections with judges Shirley Ballas and Motsi Mabuse, whom he has known for over two decades from competitive dancing circles.
Personal Insights and Inspirations
Carlos opened up about his emotional nature, advocating for men to express their feelings more freely. "Men need to cry more," he asserted, linking this to his journey of self-acceptance and confidence-building with Karen's help.
His upbringing in a conservative small town in China shaped his early life, where dance was often seen as feminine. His mother eventually sent him to dance classes at age 11, later than usual, due to societal pressures. At 12, he left home to train at a prestigious boarding school in Beijing, an intense experience that set him on his career path.
Carlos credited his move to the UK with providing freedom and acceptance, especially regarding his sexuality. "For me, as a gay man, everything within our community is not really talked about in China," he explained. "Moving to the UK definitely gave me a lot of freedom and acceptance."
He cited his mother as the most influential person in his life, praising her strength and support as a single parent. Carlos also expressed admiration for women like Amy Dowden, calling her a "powerhouse" for overcoming health challenges, and identified as a feminist committed to supporting women's voices.
Future Projects and Reflections
Beyond his solo show, Carlos is collaborating with Amy Dowden on a tour titled "Reborn." He advised his younger self to "have less fear and really trust myself to do the things I want to do," encouraging boldness and indifference to others' opinions.
In his downtime, Carlos enjoys simple pleasures in London, such as walks in the park, cycling, and discovering new cafés. "The best part of living in London is because it's so huge, everywhere you go you can come across a new area," he shared.
As Carlos Gu steps into this new chapter, his story continues to inspire, blending talent, resilience, and a heartfelt commitment to self-expression.
