Former England international and respected football pundit Karen Carney has bravely revealed how a torrent of sexist abuse during her appearance on Strictly Come Dancing left her confidence in tatters.
The Hidden Toll of Reality TV Fame
Carney, who appeared on the hit BBC show in 2019 partnered with professional dancer Gorka Marquez, disclosed that the vicious online comments and public criticism went far beyond typical reality television feedback.
"It absolutely crushed me," the 36-year-old admitted during an emotional interview on the Plug Talk podcast. "The confidence was completely gone."
From Football Pitch to Dance Floor
The transition from celebrated athlete to television personality proved more challenging than anticipated. Despite earning 144 caps for England and enjoying a distinguished football career, Carney found the scrutiny of the dance competition particularly brutal.
"When you're in football, you get criticism about your performance," she explained. "But this was different - it felt personal and deeply misogynistic."
The Aftermath and Recovery
The psychological impact of the experience was severe enough that Carney sought professional help to rebuild her self-esteem. Her revelation highlights the often-overlooked mental health challenges facing television personalities, particularly women in the public eye.
Despite the trauma, Carney has emerged stronger and continues her successful broadcasting career, now serving as a prominent analyst for Amazon Prime's football coverage and ITV Sport.
A Broader Pattern of Abuse
Carney's experience reflects a wider issue within entertainment and sports broadcasting, where female pundits frequently face disproportionate and gender-based criticism compared to their male counterparts.
Her decision to speak out adds to growing conversations about the need for better protection and support for women in television and the damaging effects of online abuse.
