After months of glitter, adrenaline, and unforgettable Saturday nights, Karen Carney has chosen something entirely different: silence, space, and stillness.
The former England footballer, who made history in December by winning Strictly Come Dancing 2025, has offered fans a gentle glimpse into her life after the spotlight—revealing just how much she needed to step away once the music stopped.
Karen, 38, lifted the coveted Glitterball Trophy alongside professional partner Carlos Gu, beating finalists George Clarke and Alexis Warr, and Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin in an emotional finale. At the time, she struggled to find the words, telling viewers: “I can’t believe it. Thank you to everybody who supported us. This has been the biggest privilege and honour. I’m lost for words.”
Her partner Carlos was equally emotional, paying tribute to their unlikely but powerful partnership. “We challenged each other, we never gave up on each other,” he said. “Thank you for changing my life.”
But after the confetti settled and the interviews wrapped, the pair—who had spent nearly every day together for months—finally went their separate ways. Carlos headed to New York for a festive break before chasing sunshine into the New Year, while Karen chose something more introspective.
In recent days, she’s been spotted far from the UK, soaking up the quiet beauty of Italy. Sharing photos from her travels, including a serene moment at Rome’s Colosseum, Karen kept her caption simple: “Life lately.” The understatement spoke volumes.
Fans and friends immediately flooded the comments with love. Fellow Strictly star Vicky Pattison wrote, “Why are you so cute?!” while Carlos added: “Cutest!!!!!!!” Ex-Lioness Jill Scott summed up the mood perfectly: “You deserve the break.”
Others echoed the sentiment, admitting Saturday nights haven’t felt the same without her on the dancefloor. “Hope you’re enjoying your very well-deserved rest,” one fan wrote. Another added: “I didn’t realise how much I’d miss watching you dance.”
The reflective tone continued into the New Year. On New Year’s Eve, Karen shared a montage of her favourite moments from 2025—led by a powerful image of Carlos lifting her in his arms moments after their historic win. The post also featured close friends and fellow stars, highlighting a year shaped not just by success, but by connection.
“A year I’ll never forget for the rest of my life,” she wrote. “Thank you to everyone who made it so special. Wishing you all a happy and healthy new year and see you in 2026.”
For someone who has spent much of her life pushing forward—on the pitch, in punditry, and under the Strictly lights—Karen Carney’s quiet retreat feels deeply earned. And as fans watch her savour this moment of calm, one thing is clear: sometimes the most powerful move is knowing when to pause.
