“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.”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The former Birmingham City star said of her new footwork: “Everyone’s got their own journey.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
Fifteen celebrity contestants will take to the dance floor on Saturday [BBC]<\/p>\n
Carney described appearing on the show as “a dream come true” and said she was grateful for the opportunity.<\/p>\n
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”.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
Carney joins a celebrity line-up<\/a> including Neighbours actor Stefan Dennis and presenter Vicky Pattison, who all face group routines, dance-offs and the annual trip to Blackpool.<\/p>\n Judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and head judge Shirley Ballas return alongside professional dancer favourites, and two new pros<\/a>.<\/p>\n Strictly Come Dancing is back on iPlayer and BBC One from 18:40 BST on Saturday.<\/p>\n Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds<\/a>, Facebook<\/a>, X<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\nMore on this story<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n