Strictly fans criticised Carlos Gu for ‘taking away’ from Karen Carney’s moment during the final last night (Saturday, December 20) as he opened up about not having a celeb partner last year.
Last night’s final saw Carlos and Karen win the Glitterball Trophy – a victory that left fans dividied.
Carlos opened up (Credit: BBC)
Strictly star Carlos Gu on being benched last year
After their final dance together last night – a jive to Blondie’s One Way Or Another – Carlos and Karen spoke to Claudia Winkleman in the Clauditorium.
As he spoke to the show host, Carlos struggled to maintain his composure and broke down in tears.
Reflecting on how former Lionesses star Karen has influenced him, he said: “She changed my life. She’s the best thing I’ve ever had in 2025. I came to Strictly after competitive live, I was self-centered, I was ‘me me me’.
“I’ve been lost for years… no wonder I didn’t get a partner last year because I was not grateful,” he then said.
Carlos was benched last year, after having been paired with Angela Scanlon in 2023 and Molly Rainford in 2022.
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