BREAKING down in tears, Carlos Gu couldn’t believe he was lifting the Glitterball trophy.
Next to him former Lioness was shaking and his fellow pros surrounded him, weeping and cheering. It was without a doubt of the 32-year-old’s life. But behind the sequins and sparkle of it all, Carlos has been living with devastating heartache and we can reveal how his ongoing feud with one pro has left his win overshadowed with bitterness, jealousy and resentment.
Strictly’s Carlos Gu sobbed after his win while Nancy appeared stoney faced behind himCredit: BBC
At one point Nancy and Carlos were very close – like siblings they saidCredit: Instagram
As the camera panned around, could be seen looking completely void of emotion, a stony-faced determination to remain impartial on her face, leaving viewers shocked.
An insider said: “It was painfully obvious that Nancy was the only person not completely elated about Carlos’s win.
“Everybody was hoping the pair had put their issues behind them but the feud is more potent than ever. It’s a real shame she couldn’t even feign happiness.
“The fear is that there will be no coming back from that reaction and the divide between them will just continue to grow.”
, 34, and , who both grew up in , used to be incredibly tight— with him branding her his “favourite sister” and Nancy calling him “my baby brother”.
Then last year, Strictly’s dancers were rocked when the pair dramatically unfollowed each other and refused to speak.
The Sun told at the time how Carlos was disappointed at not getting a celebrity partner — while Nancy has been focused on her pairing with .
Carlos tried to play down the tension between them last year and said: “We’re fine. We’ve been friends since childhood, and friends argue, we’re too close and are like brother and sister to completely fall out.”
Fast forward to this series and it was Nancy who missed out on a celebrity.
She had been paired with star for the special last year.
Although Harry – also known as Nitro – he was partnered with .
But when it came to the main show, the decision was made for her to be part of the dance troupe.
The news was said to have left her both incensed and devastated, and when she attempted to reassure fans, her hurt was very present.
In a video online she explained: “In the very, very beginning, when I just received the messages, it did upset me and I did feel disappointed.
“Coming from China, arriving in this country, all I wanted was to achieve my dream.
Carlos and Karen were triumphant during the Strictly finalCredit: BBC
Their shock could not be missed as their names were annoucedCredit: BBC
Nancy has struggled at times with the way the show works in terms of getting a partnerCredit: Chris Eades
“Strictly has given me such a big platform to allow me to show my skills, show my talent.
“Of course, I [felt left out] this year, but I’m good. Because I’m still part of the Strictly family.
“This year, you will possibly hear my voice more than ever because I will give all my energy to supporting my Strictly family. I will be there cheering for them.
“Also, you will see me on It Takes Two, – those are good things.”
I was self-centred, I was ‘me, me, me’.
Carlos during the final
Meanwhile Carlos had been paired with Karen and he had a sense early on in the competition that their partnership could be a winning one.
And of course, the pair made Strictly as Karen became the first footballer to lift the Glitterball trophy while Carlos became the first openly gay and Asian man to win the BBC One dance programme.
His win was incredibly emotional and as he wept, he reflected on the triumph and used an interesting selection of words.
He admitted: “I came to Strictly after competitive life, I was self-centred, I was ‘me, me, me’.
“I’ve been [here] the last three years – no wonder I didn’t get a partner last year because I’m not grateful.”
He added: “For the first time, I learned to be a team player.”
DIVIDED CLAUDITORIUM
His comments are said to have sparked debate in the Clauditorium, with our insider explaining: “Nancy fully believes she deserved a partner and so does everyone else, so they thought it was unfair that Carlos said that when everyone knows it’s just up to the producers and the celebs that series if you end up with someone.
“Some of the pros felt like it was a bit of a dig towards her, whereas the more optimistic ones amongst them are convinced it was in fact an olive branch.”
However, Nancy has really taken the high ground on this occasion and made sure she commented on the BBC’s post announcing Carlos had won.
Despite not speaking for months she showered the post with praise, writing: “WELL DESERVED. Congratulations!!”
Fans were hoping that Carlos and Nancy would have made it up by nowCredit: Instagram
A lot is about to change on Strictly – with Tess and Claudia’s exitCredit: Instagram/tessdaly
Carlos has been busy behind the scenes making a name for himself, he’s become a regular face popping up on CBBC shows in guest roles, ensuring he became a household name.
Over the spring he toured with Strictly professional Amy Dowden. And next year he will be taking part in Weekends, which sees him and other pros perform in hotels up and down .
Nancy joined Strictly in 2019 and then Carlos came a few years later in 2022.
They were both incredibly driven, proud of their Chinese roots and desperate to succeed, which seemed to naturally lend itself to a rivalry between them.
The insider added: “It was surprising for Carlos to call himself selfish, but she hopes he realises that he was caught up in himself.
The Strictly family has been through a lot this series, emotions have been very high.
Insider
“He has been on a mission to make a name, which she gets but there is no need for things to turn nasty. They both should be able to celebrate each other’s successes.”
This Christmas special, Nancy once again landed a celeb – this time Babatunde Aléshé .
The pair danced the Charleston to Santa Claus is Coming to Town by Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters.
Nancy is hoping she’s spent enough time on the bench, and her attitude and skills in the Christmas special will be enough to land her a place on the 2026 show.
Our insider explained: “Nancy is really hoping the Strictly bosses are kind to her next year and she gets a partner again. Dancing is all she has ever wanted so it’s very hard to see others living out her dream, especially when it’s within touching distance.
“The Strictly family has been through a lot this series, emotions have been very high but at the end of the day everyone means so much to each other.”
Carlos is particularly close to Claudia, who was the first to offer him support as he cried, telling him: “You are a team player. You are, and we love you and your partnership is everything. You’re okay, baby. You’re amazing.”
But with Claudia on her way out alongside , how will Carlos fare without his shoulder to cry on? Or perhaps Carlos might also decide it’s time to hang up his dancing shoes.
Carlos is incredibly ambitious – and made no secret about how much he wanted to win StrictlyCredit: Darren Fletcher
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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