Strictly Come Dancing judges caused a very emotional reaction from a celebrity and her professional partner following their impressive performance.
Hayley Anderson TV Reporter
19:46, 15 Nov 2025
Strictly Come Dancing stars couldn’t hold back the tears when they received unexpected but welcomed praise for their performance.
BBC presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, judges and the remaining contestants returned to the dancefloor this evening to give it their all in the hope of making it to Blackpool Week which is next Saturday, November 22.
Among those performing was former footballer and sports journalist Karen Carney and Carlos Gu who performed a dark American Smooth to You Don’t Own Me by SayGrace.
When they finished dancing, the judges couldn’t help but praise the pair for the “gorgeous” performance with Shirley Ballas pointing out something particularly close to Karen’s heart.
The judge commented: “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 teared up after their performance this week. (Image: BBC)READ MORE: Holly Willoughby responds to Strictly presenter rumours with cryptic commentREAD MORE: Gorka Marquez confirms Strictly Come Dancing return date amid Christmas ‘blow’
“I just want to commend that because I see your hard work.”
Karen has Scheuermann’s disease, a condition that causes a curve of the spine, so when it came to the pair talking to Claudia, neither Karen or Carlos could hold back the 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’.
“And just hearing them saying that, you have no idea how hard she’s been working this week.”
Strictly Come Dancing’s Karen Carney and Carlos Gu performed You Don’t Own Me by SayGrace. (Image: BBC)
Claudia then comforted him as he continued: “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.
