'I see Strictly competitors as my teammates'

Karen Carney joins 14 other celebrities in Strictly Come Dancing 2025

"I don't see it as a competition," says football pundit Karen Carney of Strictly Come Dancing. Instead, she adds of those joining her as a contestant in the new series: "I genuinely see them as my teammates."

Carney retired from playing football in 2019 but remains England's third most-capped Lioness, with 144 appearances for her country. She's since become a familiar pundit on TV match coverage.

The former Birmingham City star said of her new footwork: "Everyone's got their own journey.

"None of us are pro dancers, we're all feeling and facing the same challenges and [we've] just got to be there for each other."

The TNT and ITV pundit, from Solihull, said she had done "a little bit of hip-hop" as a youngster but that her only other dance experience was in nightclubs, which might have involved a little breakdancing.

"I think the breakdancing was when we used to go out on nights out with the team and I was forced into dancing-off with other people in the nightclub," she said.

"I've definitely never done Latin or ballroom or any of the dances that we're going to do, so it's certainly a new challenge for me but I'm up for it, it's so much fun."

Fifteen celebrity contestants will take to the dance floor on Saturday

Carney described appearing on the show as "a dream come true" and said she was grateful for the opportunity.

She will find out with whom she is partnered during Saturday's live show but described all the pros as "annoyingly good" and "fantastic people".

"It really doesn't matter who you're paired with because let's hope they all make you better than when you turned up," she added.

Carney joins a celebrity line-up including Neighbours actor Stefan Dennis and presenter Vicky Pattison, who all face group routines, dance-offs and the annual trip to Blackpool.

Judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and head judge Shirley Ballas return alongside professional dancer favourites, and two new pros.

Strictly Come Dancing is back on iPlayer and BBC One from 18:40 BST on Saturday.