A bitter feud between two Strictly Come Dancing professional dancers has reportedly reached a point of no return, with insiders claiming there is 'no way of coming back' for childhood friends turned rivals, Nancy Xu and Carlos Gu.
A Friendship Fractured Beyond Repair?
The rift was thrown into sharp focus during the 2025 final, when Carlos, aged 32, lifted the Glitterball Trophy with his celebrity partner, football legend Karen Carney. While the studio erupted in joy, cameras captured fellow pro Nancy Xu, 34, looking distinctly unimpressed. Sources close to the show suggest that her visible reaction was the final nail in the coffin for their once-close friendship.
"It was painfully obvious that Nancy was the only person not completely elated about Carlos's win," a source told The Sun. "Everybody was hoping the pair had put their issues behind them, but the feud is more potent than ever. The fear is that there will be no coming back from that reaction."
The History of the Strictly Fallout
The pair's friendship, which spanned decades since childhood, began to publicly unravel last year. They unfollowed each other on social media and were reported to have refused to speak. The tension was initially linked to professional disappointments; Carlos was said to be 'gutted' at not getting a celebrity partner for the 2024 series, while Nancy was paired with Shayne Ward.
This year, the tables turned. It was Nancy who was left without a partner, a decision she described as disappointing. "In the very, very beginning, when I just received the messages, it did upset me, and I did feel disappointed," she told fans online.
Further fuel was added to the fire when Carlos made comments about his own attitude before being partnered with Karen Carney. He admitted he had been "self-centred" and wasn't grateful to have a partner last year. Insiders interpreted this as a slight against Nancy, who "fully believes she deserved a partner."
Public Reactions and Denials
Viewers were quick to pick up on the tension. One fan questioned online, "Could Nancy even attempt to hide her dislike for Carlos?" while another advised her to "keep your feelings to yourself."
Despite the mounting evidence and insider claims, Carlos has previously downplayed the rumours. Last year, he insisted, "We're fine. We've been friends since childhood, and friends argue, we're too close and are like brother and sister to completely fall out." However, the latest reports and Nancy's stony-faced response to his victory suggest the sibling-like bond has suffered an irreparable break.
For now, Nancy has stated she will channel her energy into supporting the Strictly family from the sidelines, with appearances on It Takes Two and Morning Live. Meanwhile, the divide between the two dancers appears wider than ever, casting a shadow over their professional relationship on one of the BBC's most beloved shows.
