The latest episode of Strictly Come Dancing has sparked outrage among fans, who are accusing the judges of consistently underscoring footballer Karen Carney. Despite her impressive performances and undeniable charisma on the dance floor, viewers believe the judges’ scores fail to reflect her talent, leading to a wave of frustration across social media platforms.
On Saturday night, Karen and her professional dance partner, Carlos Gu, delivered a high-energy Quickstep that left the audience in awe. Dressed in striking gold and black outfits, the pair showcased intricate footwork and undeniable chemistry. However, a minor stumble during the routine caught the judges’ attention, and their scores left fans fuming. Karen received a total of 27 points, with Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, and Motsi Mabuse awarding her sevens, while Craig Revel Horwood gave a six. Fans argued that the scores did not align with the judges’ positive feedback, prompting accusations of unfair treatment.
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Social media erupted with complaints, particularly on TikTok, where one user posted a video captioned, “The underscoring of Karen Carney on Strictly needs to be studied.” Comments flooded in, with fans expressing their confusion and anger. One wrote, “For some reason, they just don’t seem to like her. Honestly, I don’t get why. I don’t understand the scoring either. How do Shirley and Anton think that she and Chris danced at the same level?” Another fan referenced a previous week’s score, saying, “The four for last week was diabolical. I really thought that tonight would be 8’s at least.” Others called the scores “tragic” and questioned whether Karen’s lack of a “big name” status was influencing the judges’ decisions.
This isn’t the first time Karen has faced controversy on Strictly. Just weeks ago, fans were angered by the judges’ response to her openness about living with Scheuermann’s disease, a condition that causes a curvature of the spine, resulting in a hunchback or increased forward curve in the chest region. Karen bravely shared, “I have this thing called Scheuermann’s. I’ve had it since I was a kid, it’s a curve in my spine. It’s really, really hard for me to open my back up. There’s certain elements that I just won’t be able to do as I’d love to, but Carlos is really supportive, really encouraging.”
Despite her vulnerability, some viewers felt the judges’ feedback was insensitive. Motsi Mabuse acknowledged Karen’s condition but emphasized the need for a specific ballroom posture, saying, “It’s going to be something that we have to challenge to see how far we can really stretch and open up because it’s a ballroom dance and there’s a specific posture that we need.” She also noted a sense of nervousness in Karen’s performance compared to her previous week’s leaderboard-topping routine. Anton Du Beke, meanwhile, advised Karen to “open your body ever so slightly,” demonstrating with Shirley Ballas.
Fans were quick to criticize the judges’ remarks. One viewer commented, “So Karen says she has a curved spine and Motsi says she needs to stretch it out. What is the woman on? Criticising someone for something they cannot do anything about is beyond ridiculous.” Another pointed out, “They’re gonna moan about her frame and her singing along,” while a third acknowledged, “This spine issue could hinder Karen throughout the entire series. That said, I enjoyed it.”
The growing discontent among Strictly fans highlights a perceived bias in the judging panel’s scoring and critiques. As Karen continues to shine despite her physical challenges, her supporters are rallying behind her, demanding fairness and recognition for her efforts. With tensions rising, the question remains: will the judges adjust their approach, or will fans’ cries of “We’re sick of this!” continue to echo throughout the season?