Fans are predicting their winner after one couple earned their first 40 of the year.
19:46, 29 Nov 2025
Carlos broke down in tears (Image: BBC)
A Strictly Come Dancing star broke down in tears as he paid tribute to his dance partner, after fans hailed them the winners of this series.
With just six couples remaining in the competition, and an instant dance challenge set to cause chaos on the dancefloor in a major new twist, emotions are running high.
After performing their couples’ choice to Lady Gaga’s Born This Way, Carlos Gu broke down in tears as he paid tribute to Karen Carney, who hailed her mum an inspiration.
“My mum is my inspiration, and my dad of course, and my just gave the fire in me,” Karen shared.
Karen Carney and Carlos Gu have been declared the winners of the series (Image: PA)READ MORE: Strictly judges face furious backlash from GMB star over Balvinder SopalREAD MORE: Strictly fans totally distracted by star’s ‘tiny outfit’ minutes into live show
After hearing the judges’ incredible comments, Carlos, wiping back tears, said: “The reason why I got emotional is because this woman, she comes into the training room every single day, and we’ve all seen her since week one, we all know, she has posture, everything.
“She comes in and gives everything. This week, I have never seen her so happy to dance this dance.
“Every single day, I got emotional, I couldn’t tell her, I would just burst into tears because she loves dancing.”
He added: “She loves dancing more than me!”
Carlos teared up as he paid tribute to Karen (Image: BBC)
Their performance earned them their first 40 of the series, with fans all left declaring them winners.
“Karen is going to win, pass it on,” one wrote, while another said: “Okay then. I have NO choice but to back Karen to win!!! They ate that.”
“Karen is giving so much winner vibes,” another wrote.
Someone else said: “Karen Carney you are my hero I love you you’re my winner.”
They performed a couple’s choice to Born This Way (Image: BBC)
“Loved Karen…. really the winner! Karen and Carlos ahhhh!!! incredible #Strictly Craig even loved it! ffs yes. Winner!”
Another added: “Take a bow; Karen Carney! So bloody ecstatic for her. She’s my winner.”
This comes after Karen’s former teammates exposed her dance talents, with former Lioness’ Fara Williams and Lianne Sanderson previously sharing Karen’s skills.
Speaking exclusively ahead of the UEFA Women’s Champions League streaming on Disney+, Fara shared: “Kaz used to body pop! I’m not sure she’s put this story out but Kaz is a body popper, so she’s got rhythm anyway. Kaz can dance!
The pair scored their first 40 (Image: BBC)
“This is a different type of dancing, but I’ll tell you what Kaz is, she’s very dedicated and if you’re going into something you have to fully commit to it, and that’s something Kaz will do.
“She’ll fully commit to it, she’ll use every minute that she can trying to get her dance routines perfect because that’s the type of person she is.”
The former Everton midfielder continued: “We already know she has quick feet, as a footballer, her feet are amazing and I didn’t think she’d still have it at her age and being five years retired now, her feet were amazing.
“We’re all rooting for her and hopefully she can win it.”
The Lioness legend’s previous dance experience was exposed by her teammates (Image: PA)
Lianne echoed her sentiments, saying: “Kaz has always been a good dancer, she can body pop and everything.
“People forget that, but those of us that have been her teammates, I’ve seen Kaz can move, she can break dance!
“She can do all that, spinning on her head and all that, but I’ve never seen her do stuff like that, so it was amazing, an amazing performance.”
Strictly Come Dancing is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
