Karen Carney, the former England Lioness and celebrated footballer, has made history by becoming the first footballer to win the 2025 series of Strictly Come Dancing. Speaking to fans in her hometown of Birmingham, Carney expressed heartfelt gratitude for the support she received throughout the competition, saying her victory has helped make her dreams come true.

Historic Win on Strictly Come Dancing

Carney, paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, triumphed over fellow finalists Love Island star Amber Davies and social media personality George Clarke in Saturday’s live final. Their performances included a show-stopping jive, an Argentine Tango, and a football-themed jive to Blondie’s One Way Or Another, which earned them a standing ovation and their second perfect score of the night.

“I just want to say thank you to everyone, you’ve been great, supporting both me and Carlos, and you’ve helped make my dreams come true,” Carney told BBC Radio WM listeners.

From Football Pitch to Dance Floor

Born and raised in Solihull, Birmingham, Carney’s football career spans 144 caps for England and successful stints with Birmingham City, Chelsea, and Arsenal’s women’s teams. Since retiring in 2019, she has worked as a pundit for TNT and ITV, bringing her expertise and insight to football broadcasting.

Despite her extensive experience in sports, Carney admitted that Strictly Come Dancing pushed her outside of her comfort zone. “I never thought I would win it, and I certainly still can’t believe that it’s actually happened. It was just such a joy for me to be on the show,” she said.

Paired with Carlos Gu, Carney showcased versatility and creativity, performing an Argentine Tango to Red Right Hand by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, and a show dance to Inner Smile by Texas. Their football-themed jive stood out as a highlight, earning high praise from judges and viewers alike.

Celebrating Birmingham

Carney’s win has sparked celebrations across Birmingham, with fans saying her success helps raise the profile of the city. Residents took to the streets and shared messages of pride and support with local media.

Kelly Rogers from Wednesbury commented, “Well done Karen, we’re really proud of you. It’s nice to have local people win things.” Similarly, Rebecca Crawford noted, “She’s got no dance experience and to go on that show out of your comfort zone… I think she did amazing.”

Carney, who plans to spend Christmas in Birmingham with family and friends, emphasized the importance of community support. “Thank you, Birmingham, for everything. This city is really special, so we keep going and we keep supporting each other. We keep rebuilding it with all our hearts, and we back each other the whole way,” she said.

Inspiring the Next Generation

For Carney, Strictly Come Dancing is more than a glitterball trophy—it’s about inspiring young people. “Strictly is much bigger than a glitterball. When you hear little girls and boys saying they could do whatever they want, it just means everything,” she explained.

Her journey from professional football to reality TV demonstrates resilience, adaptability, and passion, making her a role model not only for aspiring athletes but also for anyone chasing their dreams.

Key Highlights

• Karen Carney becomes first footballer to win Strictly Come Dancing.
• Paired with Carlos Gu, performed show dance, Argentine Tango, and football-themed jive.
• Earned standing ovation and perfect scores for two performances in the final.
• Celebrated by fans in Birmingham, emphasizing community pride and support.
• Carney’s win highlights the importance of following passions and inspiring the next generation.

Carney’s historic victory on Strictly Come Dancing 2025 proves that determination and hard work can make even the most ambitious dreams come true, whether on the football pitch or the dance floor.