Karen Carney reveals secret health battle affected entire football career – but refuses to let it impact Strictly
KAREN CARNEY has revealed she battled a health problem throughout her football career.
The former England star has swapped her football boots for dancing shoes in recent weeks, impressing on Strictly Come Dancing.
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Karen Carney suffered with Scheuermann’s disease throughout her careerCredit: Getty
The former England star has impressed on Strictly Come DancingCredit: PA
She achieved a perfect score last weekendCredit: PA
She has been tipped to make the final – a feat made all the more impressive by the fact she lives with a health condition.
Carney, 38, suffers with Scheuermann’s disease, which causes curvature at the top of the spine.
She explained: “I suffered with it the whole of my football career but I never made it a thing – particularly with the dancing – because I always knew I could get on the pitch.
“I always knew I’d find a way. I just won’t be able to do certain things.
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“Sometimes it was disheartening when I played and it did impact my career, but I just got on with it.
“It was just about being honest and working with what we can. I’m healthy and happy and that’s the most important thing.”
The former midfielder spent hours on the treatment table in her career to ensure she was fit to play regularly.
It never stopped her from taking to the pitch and it has not proved a problem over the last ten weeks as Carney has strutted her stuff in the ballroom.
She achieved a perfect score last weekend and topped the leaderboard – becoming the first former footballer to do so in 18 years.
Carney said of Strictly: “I just want to show that I might not be the perfect dancer. I will not have the perfect posture, but I’ll certainly give it my best.
“Dancing is always about joy, it’s how much fun you have and how much joy you can bring to the audience.
“I think if you can achieve that, that’s the whole point.”
