Strictly Come Dancing has been plunged into fresh turmoil as former England Lioness Karen Carney, 38, faces explosive accusations of having a “hidden dance past” just days before the 2025 semi-final. The controversy erupted on December 12, 2025, when leaked photos and videos surfaced online showing Carney, paired with professional dancer Luba Mushtuk, participating in competitive ballroom classes and charity dance events as far back as 2018. Viewers flooded social media with outrage, branding her a “ringer” and demanding her elimination, with #StrictlyCheat trending globally and over 500,000 posts in 24 hours. “Her story is far deeper than anyone expected,” one fan tweeted, but for many, it’s a betrayal of the show’s spirit: celebrities learning to dance from scratch.
Carney, a BBC pundit and 144-cap international who won the Women’s Super League with Arsenal and Chelsea, joined Strictly in September 2025 as a surprise wildcard, charming audiences with her “girl-next-door” humility and rapid progress. Paired with Mushtuk in the show’s first same-sex female couple, they soared to the top of the leaderboard with routines blending power and grace—most notably a fiery paso doble scoring 38 in Blackpool Week. “I’m a footballer, not a dancer—I’m learning every step,” Carney insisted in interviews, earning sympathy as the “underdog” overcoming two left feet.
But the “hidden past” claims paint a different picture. Photos from a 2018 charity gala in Birmingham show Carney executing a near-perfect waltz with a professional partner, while a 2021 video from a Lionesses fundraiser captures her leading a group cha-cha. A 2019 clip from a corporate event in Manchester has her performing a rumba that rivals pro standards. Insiders allege she took private lessons during her playing days to “stay fit off-season,” with one former teammate telling The Sun: “Karen was always in dance classes—ballroom kept her agile for football.”
Fans are divided. Supporters defend: “It’s charity and fun—not pro training! She’s still learning Latin” (@LionessLegacy, 50k likes). Critics rage: “This is cheating—ringers ruin the show!” (@StrictlyFairPlay, 80k retweets). The row echoes past scandals—Layton Williams (2023) and John Whaite (2021) faced “ringer” backlash for theatre backgrounds. Ofcom logged 2,000 complaints by December 13, with a petition for Carney’s disqualification hitting 30,000 signatures.
BBC responded: “All celebrities start as beginners in ballroom and Latin—prior social dancing doesn’t disqualify.” Head judge Shirley Ballas backed Carney on It Takes Two: “Karen’s progress is genuine—she’s a joy to watch.” But with the semi-final looming December 14, the accusations threaten to overshadow the glitterball.
Carney, who has spoken about overcoming anxiety post-retirement, addressed the storm on Instagram: “I’ve danced for fun, like many—Strictly is a new world. Grateful for the support.” As the nation debates “fair play,” her story—far deeper than football glory—reminds us fame’s double-edged sword cuts deepest when least expected.
