Karen Carney leads Strictly Come Dancing 2025 after first live show

Former England midfielder Karen Carney emerged as the surprise leader on the first live episode of Strictly Come Dancing 2025, topping the week one leaderboard after a high-energy jive on Saturday in the BBC studio. Carney and professional partner Carlos Gu earned 31 points from the judges, placing them ahead of several contestants who entered the contest with prior dance experience.

Carney received verbal praise from the panel, with Anton Du Beke calling it a perfect way to close the show and Motsi Mabuse describing it as a "great show tonight." Head judge Shirley Ballas said the routine was "sensational" and the best dance of the night for her. Craig Revel Horwood gave Carney a seven while the other three judges awarded eights, producing the total of 31 points.

The launch weekend was notable for several late changes to the line-up after injuries. Dani Dyer, who appeared in the prerecorded launch, withdrew before the live shows after fracturing her ankle in rehearsals. Amber Davies was drafted in at short notice to replace her and made her live debut on Saturday with professional Nikita Kuzmin. Davies and Kuzmin scored 27 for a waltz to Adele's "When We Were Young," having...