The ex-footballer admitted she hasn’t been focused on winning the BBC series.
Strictly Come Dancing star Karen Carney has revealed that she accidentally left professional dancer Carlos Gu bleeding during a training session.
The former Lioness is currently partnered with Carlos on the BBC’s hit dancing competition. On Saturday night (October 25), the duo performed a Rumba to Celine Dion’s Think Twice, earning a score of 28 out of 40 from the judges.
After the routine, Karen apologised when praised by presenter Claudia Winkleman for doing an “excellent job.” She said: “Thank you. As they mentioned down there, there’s about eight different walks. Sorry, I’m a bit gutted. It does happen, but he saved it, so well done you, Carlos.”
Karen and Carlos successfully progressed through Icons Week and are now preparing for the Halloween special on Saturday (November 1). Reflecting on her Strictly journey so far, Karen admitted that she accidentally elbowed Carlos in the nose before the first live show, causing him to bleed.
Karen Carney revealed that her Strictly Come Dancing journey hasn’t been without mishaps. Ahead of their Jive to Blondie’s One Way or Another on September 27, Carlos Gu suffered an ankle injury, and their first rehearsals were “horrendous,” Karen told Heat magazine. “I elbowed him in the nose, and he had a nosebleed. We didn’t complete the dress rehearsal because he rolled his ankle and had to get it taped up,” she said.
Karen explained that she is using the show to rebuild her confidence and believes producers paired her with Carlos to bring out a “different side” of her. “When I first met him, I thought, ‘We’re polar opposites.’ He’s theatrical and flamboyant, whereas I’m reserved. But the more I get to know him, the more I see he’s kind, sweet, and protective,” she said. “I believe he was paired with me to help me grow, which is why I signed up. I also wanted to gain confidence, and I don’t think anyone could get that out of me other than Carlos.”
She added: “His exact words were, ‘I want to turn you from a caterpillar into a butterfly.’ I’m honoured to dance with someone of his calibre.”
Despite quickly becoming a fan favourite, Karen insisted she isn’t focused on winning the Glitterball Trophy on December 20. “I’ve not thought about winning once. I love the show, and everyone will get bored of me saying it, but I’m just grateful to be on it.”
“Sport humbles you massively,” Karen Carney reflected. “At the 2012 Olympics, we were breezing through our matches and expected to win the quarterfinals, but when we lost, it felt like a punch to the stomach the wind completely taken out of us.
“Sport takes you on incredible highs and dramatic lows, so I never let myself get carried away. I’m humbled very quickly. My goal here isn’t to win it’s simply to enjoy a show that I love.”