Karen Carney has revealed that she is using Strictly to help 'rebuild confidence' after being 'crushed' by the sexist abuse she faced as a football pundit.
The former footballer, 38, is already winning over fans with pro partner Carlos Gu, 32, on the BBC dancing show.
But now she has opened up to Women's Health UK on the Just As Well podcast about getting back to herself after the 'negative' backlash she had to endure for simply doing her job.
Karen has been a regular broadcaster for live football on TNT Sports, Sky Sports, ITV and Amazon Prime, including Women's Super League and men's Premier League matches since 2019.
Karen explained: 'I think I had it quite bad about four years ago, that was very, very challenging. But since then, whether you like it or not, you have to build resilience.
'And I think for me, my attitude - put my athlete hat on - is to be the best version of myself. Work as hard as I can, be a great team player, and actually what we learned in football was never to impress your manager, impress your teammates.
'So for me, if I'm next to someone like a Roy Keane or an Ian Wright, or whoever it might be, if they're happy with me and they know I worked hard, they know I've done my research, they know I've done my prep, then that's all that matters to me…
'The rest, I can't control what people think about me. I genuinely can't. I've had to just go with that mindset.
'But Jesus Christ, it has knocked my confidence…it's why I wanted to do Strictly as well to rebuild my confidence again because the negativity has crushed me.'
It comes after on last Saturday's episode of Strictly Karen revealed she has suffered from a spinal condition since childhood, and has shared how it affects her ability to perform.
During the last instalment of the hit BBC show Karen and Carlos were seen rehearsing for their second live performance - a Tango set to Dua Lipa's hit Training Season.
However, during a break from training, Karen opened up about her health struggles, admitting she suffers from a curved spine that makes it difficult to achieve the correct posture for ballroom routines.
She told the cameras: 'I have this thing called Scheuermann's, I've had it since I was a kid.
'It's a curve in my spine, it's really, really hard for me to open my back up to certain elements that I just won't be able to do as well as I'd love to, but Carlos is really supportive, really encouraging.'
Despite the challenge, Karen powered through and took to the dancefloor for their Tango routine.
However, the performance saw them slip down the leaderboard with a total score of 20 points, a full 11 points lower than their 'sensational' week one jive.
Following their performance, judge Motsi Mabuse praised Karen for speaking openly about her condition: 'Thank you for sharing with us about your curved spine.
She continued: 'It's going to be something that we have to challenge here to see how far we can really stretch and open up because it's a ballroom dance, and there's a specific posture that we need.
'That being said, last week you were top of the leaderboard and there was a bit of an ease in the way you attacked, this week I could feel the nerves.'
Scheuermann's disease, also known as Scheuermann's kyphosis, is a growth disorder that causes abnormally shaped, wedge-like vertebrae in the thoracic spine, often leading to a hunched posture in adolescence.
Symptoms can include back pain, stiffness, and fatigue, and in more severe cases, the condition can even affect breathing.
Karen's revelation about her health condition came days after her dance experience was revealed, after she stunned viewers with her incredible first performance.
The new Strictly favourite took to the ballroom on opening night with her partner Carlos, where they danced a jive.
Her jaw-dropping efforts saw her jump straight to the top of the leaderboard, leaving the judges impressed and viewers at home shocked.
However, in an old interview, she told how she had originally trained in dance as a child before getting into football seriously.
She said: 'I enjoyed football when I was a kid and had loads of kick abouts, but I didn't join my first club until I was 11.
'Until then, it was all about dancing for me.
'We did loads of different routines and genres of music; street dancing, hip-hop, disco, rock 'n' roll, slow dancing, team dances.'
The Sun reported Karen also saying: 'When I got a bit older and my football matches switched to a Sunday, I had some choices to make.
'I decided to give up dancing when I was 15.'
She continued: 'My agility, my strength, my power and how I move my feet during a match are all definitely down to dancing, 100 per cent.
'I was quite little, but I was quite strong, and that was because all the dancing made my muscles stronger.'
The full Women's Health Just As Well episode is available on major podcast platforms.
STRICTLY LINEUP 2025
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey
Age: 36
Profession: Olympic Sprinter and Gladiator
Harry says: 'I'll be bringing tons of energy to light up the dance floor. Let's hope I'm as quick picking up the routines as I am on the track.'
Alex Kingston
Age: 62
Profession: Doctor Who actress
The actress teases: 'My hips don't lie.'
Balvinder Sopal
Age: 46
Profession: EastEnders actress
Balvinder says: 'I’m far too excited to put into words how I feel but I’m incredibly excited at the prospect of dancing across the ballroom.'
La Voix
Age: 45
Profession: Drag performer
She says: 'Strictly is a national institution and I can't wait to get started. All that's left to say is: good luck to my partner! Here's hoping they can help me go from La Voix into La Danse.'
Thomas Skinner
Age: 34
Profession: Reality star and entrepreneur
He says: 'Bring on the sequins, sambas and most importantly, the BOSH to the ballroom!'
Vicky Pattison
Age: 37
Profession: Reality TV star
She says: 'I'm absolutely buzzing to be part of this year's Strictly Come Dancing line-up... but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't terrified.'
Karen Carney
Age: 38
Profession: Football pundit
She says: 'I’m such a huge fan of the show and I can’t believe I’m finally getting the chance to take part.'
George Clark
Age: 25
Profession: YouTuber
He says: 'Never thought I’d say this… but I’m doing Strictly! Honestly, I’ve got no idea what I’m doing but I’m excited to get stuck in … and potentially fall over a fair bit.'
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Age: 53
Profession: Former Chelsea and Netherlands striker and ex-England coach.
He says: 'Swapping the pitch for the ballroom is certainly not something I’ve done before but I’m looking forward to tackling a fun challenge! Bring on a new type of footwork, with hopefully no own goals.'
Ellie Goldstein
Age: 23
Profession: Model, influencer and disability ambassador
She says: 'It’s a show I’ve loved watching for so long, and the chance to now be part of it feels like a dream'.
Chris Robshaw
Age: 39
Profession: Rugby player
He says: 'This is about as far out of my comfort zone as it gets! I’m hoping to take my dad-dancing to a whole new level, and my mum can’t wait to drag me along to her Zumba class'.
Stefan Dennis
Age: 66
Profession: Actor
He says: 'Looking forward to the sparkle and reaching for the sky.'
Ross King
Age: 63
Profession: Showbiz correspondent
He says: 'I can’t wait to learn from the best, meet my fellow contestants, and, most importantly… try not to step on too many toes!'
Lewis Cope
Age: 30
Profession: Actor
He says: 'I'm so excited to be swapping the Dales for the dance floor and joining this year's Strictly Come Dancing.'
Amber Davies
Age: 28
Profession: West End star
She says: 'This has been the craziest 24 hours of my life. I’ve watched Strictly with my family since I was younger and to now be part of the show is a dream come true.'
