In a stunning moment on Saturday night's Strictly Come Dancing results show, host Claudia Winkleman paused proceedings to deliver a major announcement, revealing a historic first for the BBC competition.
A Historic Announcement in the Claudatorium
The revelation came after the dance-off and the confirmation that the pairing of former footballer Karen Carney and her professional partner Carlos Gu had successfully secured their place in next week's semi-final. As the relieved couple stood with Winkleman in the show's iconic 'Claudatorium' area, the presenter shared a remarkable statistic.
"I've got a lovely statistic for you," Winkleman told them. "You have officially got further than any footballer ever has on Strictly Come Dancing." The announcement, made during the broadcast on Saturday, 7th December 2025, left both celebrities visibly shocked.
Shock and Celebration for the Making-History Pair
Reacting to the news, a stunned Carlos Gu turned to his celebrity partner and exclaimed, "Look at you, baby! First-ever footballer!" The moment captured the surprise and delight of the duo, who now realise they are breaking new ground in the show's long history.
This record-breaking achievement means that Karen Carney has now surpassed the progress of any other footballer who has ever competed on the glitterball trophy show. Previous footballing contestants have included the likes of Peter Schmeichel, Robbie Savage, and David James, but none have managed to navigate their way to the coveted semi-final stage.
Heading Into the Semi-Finals With a New Title
The announcement adds an extra layer of significance to Carney and Gu's journey as they prepare for the intense pressure of the semi-final, scheduled for the following week. They will now enter that crucial round not just as contenders, but as history-makers.
Claudia Winkleman's decision to halt the show and highlight this unique milestone underscores the significance of the achievement within the Strictly universe. It marks a pivotal moment in the 2025 series, proving that the competition continues to produce unexpected firsts and break new records, even after many years on air.
