Karen Carney: ‘I won Strictly – it took me 6 months to recover’

Karen was partnered with Carlos Gu (Picture: BBC/Guy Levy)

I don’t remember winning Strictly Come Dancing last year.

The finale was a blur. Someone even pulled me aside at one point that night, and said: ‘Make sure you don’t forget this moment’ – but it was all so overwhelming and I was running on pure adrenaline.

I truly never thought I’d make it past Week One or Two. But, of course, I was wrong.

Getting the call for Strictly was surreal. It was a very quick turnaround – a matter of days before I’d need to be in rehearsals – so I didn’t have time ...