Former Lioness Karen Carney has opened up about the struggles she’s faced ahead of this weekend’s Strictly Come Dancing.
The sportswoman admitted “it’s so hard for me” as she appeared alongside her dance partner Carlos Gu on Stirctly’s spin-off show, It Takes Two on Friday.
Host Janette Manrara pointed out Ms Carney’s celebratory reaction from Sunday evening’s results when she found out she’d made it through to this week.
“Those fist bumps Karen, you were buzzing to get through!”
Karen Carney said she had been left ‘in bits’
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“No, I think it was pure relief, honestly, I was so stressed,” the footballer confessed.
“It was like, ‘yes!’ It just meant so much because I was really, really nervous,” she continued.
“You were fourth from the bottom, so I guess that made you a bit nervous, didn’t it?” Ms Manara noted.
The 38-year-old recalled: “Yeah, definitely, and I was saying to Carlos, ‘I think we’ve got to prepare.’
Carlos Gu was full of praise for Karen
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“So then when our names got called out it was just pure relief and, ‘Oh my goodness, thank you.'”
Turning focus to tomorrow’s show, former professional dancer Ms Manrara shared: “Next week, you’re going to be dancing a Rumba to this…” as Think Twice by Celine Dion played out in the studio.
After delving further into the upcoming Icons Week, the sports journalist revealed she has been loving the Rumba.
“This has really, really surprised me, the Rumba – I love it,” Ms Carney told the presenter.
“Whether I can do it is a different matter. But I absolutely love it, and I never thought that would be the one I love doing
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“And it’s Carlos’ favourite as well, so maybe I’ve channelled that from him, but I don’t know, I just fell in love with it.”
Despite her positive review of the Rumba, Ms Carney proceeded to reflect on what she’s struggled with throughout the week.
When the presenter shared a snap taken from the pair’s dress rehearsal for the dance on Friday, Mr Gu was full of praise for his partner.
“I loved it, I was so proud,” he beamed. “I told her, ‘I want nothing more – that’s exactly what I want tomorrow night.’ Pride is an understatement.”
Karen Carney is set to perform the Rumba on Saturday night
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“You excel at the fast-paced dances, how are you finding that soft, slowness and control that you need for the Rumba?” Ms Manrara probed.
“Doing the Rumba’s like you’ve lifted weights for six days,” Ms Carney replied dryly. “Honestly, my legs are in bits.”
Karen Carney and Carlos Gu have been training for their Rumba tomorrow
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“I’ve never heard it compared to that…” Ms Manrara laughed.
“Well you know everything goes through the floor, so imagine when you’re lifting weights and everything goes through the floor,” Ms Carney explained.
“My muscles are in pieces, literally It’s physically so hard for me. I couldn’t believe all the muscles – your toes! I’m so surprised by it, I really am.”