Strictly's Carlos Gu left with nosebleed after Karen Carney accidentally hit him with elbow
Ahead of Strictly Come Dancing's first live show on September 27, contestant Karen Carney accidentally whacked her professional dance partner, Carlos Gu, in the nose with her elbow, and he was left with a nosebleed.
Strictly Come Dancing's Carlos Gu was left bleeding after Karen Carney accidentally struck his nose with her elbow before the first live show.
The 32-year-old professional dancer also suffered an ankle injury ahead of his and the former professional footballer Karen's jive to One Way or Another by Blondie on September 27.
Karen, 38, told the new issue of Heat magazine: "Our first rehearsals went horrendously. I elbowed him in the nose, and he had a nosebleed.
"We didn't complete the dress rehearsal because he rolled his ankle before the live show and had to get it taped up."
The now football pundit - who topped the week one leaderboard with 31 points - is taking part in Strictly Come Dancing to rebuild her confidence.
And Karen believes the programme's producers paired her with Carlos so he can bring out a "different side" to her.
She explained: "When I first met him, I thought, 'We're polar opposites.' He's theatrical and flamboyant, whereas I'm reserved.
"The more I get to know him, I can see he's so kind, sweet and protective. I believe I was paired with him because he will bring out a different side to me, which is why I signed up to Strictly.
"I also wanted to gain confidence, and I don't believe anyone could get that out of me other than Carlos.
"His exact words were, 'I want to turn you from a caterpillar into a butterfly.' I'm honoured to dance with someone of his calibre."
The celebrities taking part in this year's Strictly Come Dancing - including Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope, 30, and 29-year-old West End star Amber Davies - are battling it out to win the coveted Glitterball trophy on December 20.
But for Karen, she has not set her sights on winning the competition.
The star - who was on the London 2012 Olympic Games Team GB women's football team - said: "I've not thought about winning once.
"I love the show, and everyone will get bored of me saying it, but I'm just grateful to be on it.
"Sports humbles you massively. In the 2012 Olympics, we were flying through our matches and expected to win the quarterfinals, and when we got beaten, it felt like we got smacked in the stomach, and the wind was taken out of us.
"Sport can take you on amazing highs and dramatic lows, so I never build myself up. I'm humbled very quickly - there's no chance of me getting carried away!
"My aim isn't to win - it's just to enjoy a show that I love."
