• Karen Carney, ex-footballer turned TV pundit, is now a semi-finalist on Strictly Come Dancing 2025. • Karen’s determination and resilience, shaped by her football career, have driven her success on Strictly. • Speaking to Metro, she honours her parents’ work ethic and the support from her fellow contestants in the competition.

This weekend marks the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 semi-final, and even making it this far has already been a ‘dream come true’ for Karen Carney.

The former Arsenal and England footballer, 38 – who was capped 144 times for her country – watched Strictly for years, always hoping but never knowing if she would ever get to take to the floor herself.

‘I dreamed about being on Strictly, and I thought it would never come true. I’ve watched this competition for so m

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