Strictly Come Dancing professional speaks out on 'snub' after not getting partner
by Matt Jackson · DevonLiveStrictly Come Dancing's professional dancer Carlos Gu has opened up about not being paired with a celebrity this year.
The 31-year-old dancer and choreographer was "expecting" a celebrity partner this year. He says he had an "amazing time" with singer Molly Rainford and presenter Angela Scanlon.
With Molly, Carlos came runner-up, behind Hamza Yassin. While Angela came sixth in last year's edition of the show.
Speaking on the Monday Mile podcast hosted by Aimee Fuller, he shared: "I was so lucky to be given two incredible partners, Molly and Angela.
"We had a great time, we had an amazing time. I'm so proud of both of them. So for the third year, I was expecting that again, [I was like] 'Okay, I'm ready, I'm ready to give more'.
"I'm still a part of the shows. I'm still doing the music act. I'm still doing some of the group numbers. If you are not in the competition, you have more free time, I think I'm just using my time wisely."
Originally from China, Carlos joked about using his extra time for "husband hunting" and honing his dance skills. It also gives him a chance to relax and take some downtime, reports Birmingham Live.
He reflected on the intensity of the competition seasons, saying: "When the season starts, when you're busy, your mind is literally on fire and twirling. You never really have the opportunity to really relax."
Carlos sees this period as a chance for self-discovery: "I think I really need that this year. I think this is a good opportunity for me to be doing that, because through that I can learn something about myself that I didn't know before.
"Sometimes the decision is made [and it's] not necessarily personal. It's just because of the different perspectives, the different teams. Because we all want the show to look great.
"We all want this company, this production to look good. So, nothing is really personal. I think as long as you start to understand that, some of the decisions aren't personal to you."
Carlos, who joined Strictly in 2022 alongside fellow professional dancers Vito Coppola, Lauren Oakley and Michelle Tsiakkas, has now embarked on a new tour named Reborn, with Amy Dowden. Amy, aged 34, made her return to Strictly this year after missing the previous series due to her breast cancer diagnosis.
Carlos further added: "Amy's the perfect example of being reborn, having Crohn's disease, she battled so long and for so many years, and last year she had cancer, and she never gave up. She's a great example for everybody."