Karen Carney joins Strictly Come Dancing 2025

The former football star and broadcaster is confirmed as the fourteenth celebrity contestant as Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this autumn.

Karen Carney joins Strictly Come Dancing 2025

Karen Carney has been announced as the fourteenth celebrity contestant on the new series of Strictly Come Dancing. The former footballer who played for Chelsea Arsenal and Birmingham City is now a lead pundit for both men’s and women’s football on television. With 144 England caps, four World Cups and four European Championships to her name, Carney is a trailblazer for women in sport whose influence extends beyond the pitch into broadcasting and government work on the future of women in football.

Vernon Kay revealed the lineup this morning on BBC Radio 2. Strictly Come Dancing is a BBC Studios Entertainment production for BBC One and BBC iPlayer and will return this autumn. Carney also hosts a popular podcast with Jill Scott and remains a visible advocate for women in sport, a thread that has run through much of her public career.

This selection signals a deliberate push to blend sport stature with mainstream entertainment. Carney can bring a built in audience from football and from her broadcasting roles, helping Strictly reach viewers who may not be regular dance show fans. Her presence also reinforces a broader cultural push to highlight women leaders in sport on national TV.

On the other hand, the choice raises questions about balancing celebrity appeal with the craft of dance and the demands of a busy sports media schedule. Viewers will expect rigorous training, fair competition, and a thoughtful portrayal of a professional athlete moving into a different arena. The show will need to manage expectations and reactions from fans who cheer for her on the pitch while watching how she handles the dance floor.

Highlights

Time will tell how this pairing reshapes both the dance floor and the wider conversation around athletes in media.