Strictly Come Dancing professional Carlos Gu has candidly revealed the significant personal sacrifice he made to join the BBC's flagship dance competition, admitting his decision led to a painful fallout with his former long-term dance partner.
The Cost of the Glitterball Trophy
The 33-year-old dancer, who joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2022 and lifted the coveted Glitterball trophy with partner Karen Carney in 2025, explained that his career move came at the expense of both his friendship and successful professional partnership with Susan Sun.
Before his Strictly debut, Carlos and Susan had formed an internationally competitive dance duo, accumulating more than eighty impressive results across various Latin dance categories. At the time of his Strictly opportunity, they were at the peak of their success in China, consistently winning competitions as a celebrated partnership.
A Difficult Decision with Lasting Consequences
When the chance to join Strictly Come Dancing emerged without a corresponding offer for Susan, Carlos described accepting the opportunity as "so painful." He elaborated on the emotional turmoil during an appearance on Kate Thornton's White Wine Question Time podcast, stating he carried immense guilt about ending their decade-long partnership.
"I had so much guilt in the ex partnership, like even with me choosing to come to Strictly, that ended my dance partnership with Susan after a decade," Carlos confessed. "She got so hurt. And she didn't speak to me for two years because I chose this career for myself because we were still competing."
The dancer recalled struggling with how to break the news to Susan, recognizing that his decision would profoundly impact her professional life as a ballroom and Latin dancer. "I felt awful at that time, I remember myself being in the house and struggling with how to tell her because it's a big move, as my decision can effect her life as a professional Ballroom and Latin dancer, hugely," he explained.
Finding Resolution and Moving Forward
Despite the emotional difficulty, Carlos emphasized that he felt compelled to pursue this new chapter. "But I knew deep inside of myself that I had to do it, I think moving to the UK was always one of the big goals for me," he added.
After two years of silence between them, Carlos reached out to Susan and attended one of her major competitions, where she triumphed with a new dance partner. This victory provided Carlos with a sense of relief and closure. "I felt so guilty until she found another dance partner and she won one of the big categories in the UK," he shared.
"And I think there's a sense of relief in me like, 'Oh, without me she can still do well'. And she's knowing herself, 'Oh, without Carlos, I can always strive and be who I am and the dancer I am on the dance floor'."
Life After Strictly Success
Since his Strictly victory, Carlos has continued to build his professional dance career, now performing regularly with fellow dancer Amy Dowden outside the television show. The pair are preparing for another tour this year, with Carlos revealing they plan to incorporate singing elements into their routines.
His popularity has surged significantly following his win with former footballer Karen Carney, who he initially doubted as a potential partner but who ultimately became a close friend and positive influence. "This incredible woman she has taught me so much about this world being humble and just being a giving person and taking nothing back," Carlos said of Carney, adding that she "changed" him for the better.
Uncertain Future on Strictly
When questioned about returning to Strictly Come Dancing for the upcoming season, Carlos indicated his participation remains uncertain due to several changes within the professional lineup. He has yet to receive confirmation about whether he will be invited back to the popular BBC competition that transformed his career at such personal cost.
