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Karen Carney, the former footballer and current Strictly Come Dancing contestant, has opened up about her shattered confidence despite receiving affectionate support from her colleagues on the show. She began her journey on the popular BBC One dance competition last month, partnered with professional dancer Carlos Gu. Two weeks ago, Karen showcased a cha cha routine to Tom Jones' 'She's A Lady' from the film Miss Congeniality for the show's annual Movie Week. Embodying Sandra Bullock's character from the 2000 film, she looked stunning in a sparkling pink dress as she glided across the dance floor. Head judge Shirley Ballas praised the "power-packed" performance and commended Karen's ability to "execute difficult choreography", although she suggested some refinement was needed. Anton Du Beke added: "Wow, too much physicality and front-on at times but terrific.", according to the Manchester Evening News, reports Wales Online . Despite scoring higher in previous weeks - even making history as the first footballer in 18 years to top the Strictly leaderboard - the pair received a score of 25 out of a possible 40, placing them near the bottom of the scoreboard. During the recent Icons week, Karen and Carlos performed a Rumba to Celine Dion's 'Think Twice', earning a score of 28 out of 40 from the judges. Making her way to the Clauditorium with Carlos, Karen was told by host Claudia Winkleman that she had done an 'excellent job'. Karen responded: "Thank you, as they mentioned down there, there's about eight different walks. Sorry, I'm a bit gutted. It does happen but he saved it so, well done you (Carlos)." Karen has been discussing how participating in Strictly is helping rebuild her confidence following difficult recent years, revealing how she suffered online abuse after working tirelessly to secure a role on Match of the Day. Speaking to Anita Rani on Woman's Hour, the former Lioness said: "The last five or six years, my confidence has been really knocked. I was on one of the best shows I'd dreamed about and my mum said she was so proud of me when she hard the news. It was on Match of the Day and I had a panic attack as I was doing a clip. "I couldn't breathe and the anxiety and everything that had came on top of me, came on top of me in that show and I was so upset because I'd worked so hard to try and get on Match of the Day for the first time and I felt I was the best version of myself. "It completely shattered by confidence and it was really hard. It's really hard for me to talk to you about it and I try and move forward and look towards the positive side of things but it definitely changed who I was and who I am. I just haven't been able to get out of that." Speaking about Strictly, she said: "I love this show and I love everyone that's a part of it. Everyone is amazing. Behind the scenes are so supportive and encouraging and I just thought if you're going to rip the band aid off and really try rebuild your confidence - which sounds bizarre by going on the biggest show in the country and totally doing things out of your comfort zone - but that was the only way I thought I could do it and it feels safe because of everyone involved in the show." Karen added: "Walking down the stairs the other day, doing the Cha Cha was massively out of my comfort zone and I was really proud of that for me. I just want to get that back and show people I'm happy, I'm smiling, I'm living my best life and living my dream and I'm grateful to be part of this amazing show every week." When a snippet of Karen's chat with Anita appeared on the Woman's Hour Instagram account, her Strictly colleague Vicky Pattison was amongst the first to react, writing: "So real, so relatable, so inspiring. Love you @kazcarney. Keep shining." Karen also left a message on the post, saying: "Thank you for having me on yesterday," before being inundated with messages of encouragement.
