Strictly Judge Slammed for ‘Disgusting’ Comment About Karen Carney

A Strictly Come Dancing judge has been blasted for a "disgusting" comment made after Karen Carney opened about a medical condition she suffers from.

Carney, who played 144 times for England before becoming a regular pundit broadcasters like TNT Sports, Sky Sports, ITV and Amazon prime.

She signed up for the current season of BBC's flagship show and an impressive performance last week saw her climb to the top of the leaderboard with dance partner Carlos Gu.

This week the former Arsenal and Chelsea star, who did dance regularly until she was 15 and fully focused on football, tried her hand at the tango.

But in her VT video, Carney revealed she has suffered from Scheuermann's - a spinal condition which causes the the vertebrae to grow in an uneven way which can be curved and hunchback.

Karen Carney's secret health condition

It means that she can be hindered performing certain manoeuvres to the highest level

"I have this thing called Scheuermann's," the 38-year-old.

"I've had it since I was a kid, it's a curve in my spine.

"It's really, really hard for me to open my back up.

"There's certain elements that I just won't be able to do as I'd love to, but Carlos is really supportive, really encouraging."

Karen Carney is a contestant on this year's Strictly Come Dancing. Image: Getty

After a highest score of 31 last week, Karen and Carlos were given a 20 from the judges this week, placing them sixth on the leaderboard.

But after the admission about her spine issues, Motsi Mabuse praised Carney for being open but stressed a need to "challenge" for specific postures during ballroom dance.

She stated: "It's going to be something that we have to challenge to see how far we can really stretch and open up because it's a ballroom dance and there's a specific posture that we need.

"That being said, last week you were top of the leaderboard and there was a bit of ease in the way you attacked, this week I could feel the nerves.

"But there was a slight jitterbug with everything that you did. I think you kind of have to think about breathing and loosening up."

However, viewers were not impressed by the remark from Mabuse and felt it was out of line.

One viewer on X fumed: "Quite disgusted that Karen opened up about having a condition that causes a curved spine and Motsi's reaction was to say they should 'challenge' it instead of accommodating it."

A second said: "So Karen says she has a curved spine and Motsi says she needs to stretch it out. What is the woman on? Criticising someone for something they cannot do anything about is beyond ridiculous."

A third added: "I have curvature of the spine. Love to know how Motsi thinks I could change it!"

A final user stated: "What an ignorant and and insensitive remark! My friend had this and was in pain until she had an operation. Very stressful and a long recuperation."