Strictly Come Dancing star Karen Carney was left in tears after a particularly tough week in the rehearsal room.
Hayley Anderson Screen Time TV Reporter
20:21, 15 Nov 2025
Strictly Come Dancing stars were left in floods of tears after receiving unexpected but heartwarming praise for their routine.
BBC hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, alongside the judging panel and remaining celebrities, returned to the ballroom tonight, all vying for a coveted spot in Blackpool Week on Saturday, November 22.
Taking to the floor was ex-footballer and sports pundit Karen Carney with partner Carlos Gu, who delivered a sultry American Smooth to You Don’t Own Me by SayGrace.
Following their performance, the judges were full of admiration for the duo’s “gorgeous” routine, with Shirley Ballas highlighting something particularly meaningful to Karen.
The head judge observed: “Well Karen what I appreciate, I watched your VT, and in that VT I saw you sort of trying to get your posture and from week one to now, your posture has come along so beautifully.
Strictly Come Dancing’s Karen Carney and Carlos Gu performed an American Smooth to SayGrace’s You Don’t Own Me. (Image: BBC)READ MORE: Strictly exit ‘sealed’ for show favourite as fans rally round with supportREAD MORE: Strictly Come Dancing legend calls for judges and pros to be axed in major show shake-up
“I just want to commend that because I see your hard work.”
Karen lives with Scheuermann’s disease, a condition affecting spinal curvature, so when the pair spoke with Claudia afterwards, both Karen and Carlos were visibly moved to tears.
Carlos shared: “She [Karen] worked so hard this week. I know the ballroom is not her strength but she came into the training room and she said ‘Carlos, I really want to try, I know my back has problems but I really want to try and really want to show that I’m improving just a little bit’.
Strictly Come Dancing stars break down in tears after emotional routine(Image: BBC)
“And just hearing them saying that, you have no idea how hard she’s been working this week.”
Claudia then comforted him as he added: “I’m sorry. She wouldn’t stop dancing! Practice, practice. Sorry.”
When asked how she was feeling, Karen tearfully replied: “I want to do well for him and he’s been patient with me, he’s protected me and he’s given me the guidance so I’m just happy for that.”
Karen and Carlos scored an impressive 31 points for their American Smooth but will it be enough to help them sail through to next week?
Strictly Come Dancing continues every Saturday on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
