Strictly Come Dancing’s Karen Carney opened up about a health problem with her spine that may impact her time in the ballroom.

The former Lioness told viewers of spin-off show Strictly: It Takes Two that she and partner Carlos Gu will be performing a Tango to Training Season by Dua Lipa.

As we know, the Tango is all about frame, and Karen’s has been the topic of discussion among the judges. But when host Fleur East asked Karen how she was adapting, she got an unexpected answer.

Strictly star Karen Carney has a ‘curved spine’

Karen admitted she is really struggling with her posture, as she has a curved spine. She explained: “Posture doesn’t come easy to me, it’s a real physical challenge. Like, it’s really, really hard. I have the posture aid.”

A posture aid is a harness that straps across the upper back. They help train muscles and engage the nervous system, helping to correct poor posture.

Carlos added: “Her spine is curved in, so she can’t fully open, not with her shoulder but her spine.” Karen described it as “a challenge”, adding: “But it’s a challenge I’ll improve on, and with this guy I’m trying my best.”

Top of the Strictly leaderboard

After Week 1, Karen and Carlos have a tough act to follow. During the first Strictly Come Dancing live show on Saturday night, the pair brought the house down with their first performance. They danced a jive to One Way Or Another by Blondie.

The dance was a roaring success, earning the pair 31 out of 40 possible points and putting them at the top of the leaderboard. This feat was extra significant because Karen was the first footballer to achieve that score in 18 years. The last person to do it was John Barnes in 2007.

Responding to the dance, head judge Shirley Ballas showered the pair with praise, saying: “It was just sensational, best dance of the night for me.” Anton Du Beke echoed these sentiments, adding: “That is the way to end a show, with the best dance of the night.”

While Craig Revel Horwood scored them a seven, the rest of the panel scored them an eight. The performance led viewers to affirm that Karen is already their favourite to win.

Karen’s reaction to her Strictly success

Reflecting on the moment, Karen told Fleur: “I loved the song and loved the work that we did in the training room, and the aim was to go out and have fun and enjoy it. Honestly, as soon as it kicked in, the music, I was like: ‘Oh this is so much fun!’

Carlos added: “To be honest, I had no idea she could pull out the dance like that. I was surprised. In the middle of the dance I could feel her energy was boost, and I had to keep up!” Carlos also told his Instagram followers that Karen had ‘completely blown is mind’ with her performance.

So, in other words, never underestimate a Lioness.

Read more: Strictly Come Dancing’s Harry Aikines-Aryeetey ‘won’t make the final’, warns ex pro Brendan Cole

Strictly: It Takes Two airs at 6.30pm on weeknights on BBC Two.