Ex-Lioness Karen Carney has swapped her studs for sequins whilst she takes part in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.
Yet, her participation in one of Britain’s most watched TV shows doesn’t only bring pride to her football fans, but also to her academic roots of the University of Gloucestershire, which she graduated from in 2013 with a masters in Sports Psychology.
Throughout her playing career, she captained England over 100 times, and played for the likes of Arsenal and Birmingham City.
In 2012, she competed at the Olympic games in London where she represented Great Britain.

After announcing her retirement from football in 2019, she gained the title of third most-capped Lioness of all time with only Jill Scott and Farah Williams above her.
Soon after she hung up her boots, she transitioned into football broadcasting where she now works as a pundit for the likes of Sky Sports and ITV, as well as being a strong advocate for women’s sports.
Whilst perusing her master’s degree, she balanced her academic studies with maintaining a demanding sports career.

The university ultimately granted her an Honorary Doctorate in 2023 to recognise her “outstanding career” in both football and sports journalism.
However, Carney’s week three dance on Saturday with Strictly partner Carlos Gu sparked outrage with fans after judge Craig Revel Horwood scored her Cha Cha Cha a four.
“Sort out your arms,” he stated to the former footballer when critiquing her dance to “She’s a lady” from the 2000s film Miss Congeniality.
“Craig should be sacked for giving Karen a 4,” said one fan.
“Karen Carney getting a 4 from Craig was absolutely criminal,” expressed another.

The couple however survived the week and got through to the next round of the competition which takes place Saturday evening on BBC One.