Former England footballer Karen Carney OBE is on the cusp of a remarkable new triumph, as bookmakers now install her as the favourite to win the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing series. The 38-year-old will compete for the Glitterball trophy in Saturday's final against fellow contestants George Stark and Amber Davies, capping an emotional journey that has seen her overcome significant personal adversity in the public eye.
From Football Pitch to Dance Floor
Karen Carney, who earned 144 caps for the Lionesses as a winger and midfielder before moving into punditry for Sky Sports and TNT Sports, entered the competition as an outsider. However, her dedication and resilience have won over the nation, making her the surprise frontrunner with odds of just 8/13 from Ladbrokes. Long-time favourite George Stark is now second at 6/4. Her popularity is undeniable, with Carney gaining a staggering 71,000 new Instagram followers since the show began.
Confronting Personal Demons on a National Stage
Throughout the live shows, Carney has been strikingly open about the challenges she has faced. In week eight, she performed an American Smooth dedicated to her mother and football career, while also discussing her lifelong battle with Scheuermann's disease, a spinal condition causing curvature. She told her professional partner, Carlos Gu, of her determination to improve despite the physical limitations, a mindset she carried from her playing days.
Her struggles extended far beyond physical health. Carney has revealed that a knee injury early in her career with the Chicago Red Stars led to a period of deep depression, self-harm, and an addiction to sleeping pills. "I came back purely to… save my life, pretty much," she stated, explaining her return to England and Birmingham City FC. She credits manager Emma Hayes and close friends with helping her through that dark time.
Rebuilding Confidence After Punditry Abuse
Perhaps the most harrowing ordeal came after her retirement from football in 2019. As a high-profile pundit, Carney was subjected to a torrent of sexist and abusive messages from online trolls, which escalated to the point where she experienced suicidal thoughts and deleted her social media accounts. She described the impact as completely flooring her as a human being.
Carney has explicitly stated that one reason for joining Strictly was to rebuild her confidence after being "crushed" by the negativity. Adopting an athlete's mindset, she focuses on preparation and earning the respect of her peers, like fellow pundits Roy Keane and Ian Wright, rather than trying to control public perception.
As she prepares for the final, Karen Carney's story is no longer just about dance steps. It is a powerful narrative of perseverance, from battling a secret spinal condition and addiction to facing down vile online abuse, all while capturing the hearts of the British public and positioning herself for a spectacular victory on Saturday night.
