On a dazzling Saturday night, former Lioness and Arsenal star Karen Carney took the Strictly Come Dancing stage by storm, leaving fans, judges, and even her former teammate in absolute awe with a performance that will go down in history. Making her debut on the beloved BBC One show alongside professional partner Carlos Gu, Carney closed the evening with a football-inspired Jive that had the audience roaring and the judges scrambling for superlatives.
Saving the best for last, Carney’s electrifying routine was a masterclass in precision and passion. Judge Motsi Mabuse could barely contain her excitement, gushing, “I have never seen anything like that! The compactness in your centre, keeping everything close and pump, pump, pump, pump—it was like this was the last dance you’ll ever dance. Absolutely amazing!” Her words captured the magic of a performance that earned Carney a jaw-dropping 31 points, securing her the top spot on the leaderboard and making her the first footballer to achieve such a feat in 18 years.
The night was a triumph for former footballers, with Jimmy Ffloyd Hasselbaink also shining in his Strictly debut alongside partner Lauren Oakley, clinching third place with a respectable 27 points. Yet, it was Carney who stole the spotlight, her performance sparking a frenzy of admiration on X. Daily Mail’s Laura Fox summed up the chaos perfectly: “Karen Carney absolutely smashing her first dance has sent the odds into chaos, and I am HERE for it. Between her and Jimmy Ffloyd Hasselbaink, the footballers have come to play this year!”
Fans were equally floored. One wrote, “Karen Carney producing this performance in week one and coming top of the leaderboard? We’re in for an absolute treat this series!” Another highlighted her humility in the post-dance interview, noting, “Karen Carney—what a fabulously humble, professional woman. In a world full of ‘look at me,’ it’s so refreshing to hear someone say ‘thanks for having me,’ ‘great crowd,’ ‘everyone worked so hard.’ You’d just know she’s a great team player. Respect.”
The shockwaves even reached those who thought they knew her best. In a resurfaced interview, Carney’s former England teammate Jill Scott, a former I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! winner, admitted with a laugh, “Kaz can dance, it’s annoying!” Scott’s cheeky revelation proved prophetic, as Carney’s moves left no doubt about her hidden talent.
@kazcarneyofficial Know the first person I’m giving lessons to after @BBC Strictly ✨ 😂🪩 @Jill Scott #strictly #football #longstoryshort #dance @Long Story Short ♬ original sound – Karen Carney
Even the famously critical judge Craig Revel Horwood was left gobsmacked, confessing, “Sometimes I don’t watch the celebrities, I end up watching the pros when they’re this good. That is the way to end a show with the best dance of the night. That is just ridiculous—I was not expecting any of that!” His rare praise underscored the sheer brilliance of Carney’s debut, with fans on X echoing, “Hollldddd on. I feel like I’m joining the entire country in ripping up my Strictly predictions tonight because oh my god??? Karen Carney, I am so sorry I was not aware of your game.”
As the dust settles on a night that redefined expectations, all eyes are on next Saturday’s Strictly Come Dancing, where Carney and Hasselbaink will return to the dancefloor, ready to dazzle once more. If week one is anything to go by, Karen Carney is not just here to compete—she’s here to make history.