Karen Carney Uses Strictly Come Dancing to Rebuild Confidence After Punditry Backlash

Karen Carney, former England footballer and current BBC Strictly Come Dancing contestant, has opened up about joining the show to rebuild her confidence after facing significant backlash and sexist abuse as a female football pundit. The 38-year-old, who has worked across various sports networks since retiring from football in 2019, described how the negativity crushed her confidence and how Strictly is helping her regain her self-belief. Carney emphasized that her resilience comes from adopting an athlete mindset, focusing on being the best version of herself and impressing teammates rather than critics. Despite the challenges, she is enjoying her experience on the show, expressing pride in her progress and excitement for upcoming routines. She also revealed personal health challenges, including a spinal condition, which adds to the difficulty of her dance performances. Overall, Carney views Strictly as a positive platform to overcome past hardships and showcase her determination and growth both personally and professionally.