Fresh from lifting the glittering Glitterball trophy in December 2025 alongside his trailblazing partner Karen Carney, the 32-year-old pro has dropped an exciting hint about his future TV ambitions. In a candid new interview with Radio Times, Carlos confessed his top dream gig: joining Claudia Winkleman on her smash-hit psychological thriller The Traitors.

‘I think The Traitors is the number one show that I really want to do,’ Carlos revealed with unmistakable enthusiasm. ‘And, yeah, I’m ready. I’m ready to meet Claudia once again and have some fun. It’s a great show.’

The admission has sent fans into a frenzy, with social media buzzing over the prospect of the Strictly winner swapping sequins for suspicion, backstabbing, and castle intrigue. After all, Carlos already has a taste of the game — he played a version during the Strictly Live tour, giving him insider knowledge of the high-stakes deception that makes The Traitors so addictive.

It’s the kind of bold career pivot that screams ‘they’re not done yet’ — and Carlos’s words couldn’t come at a more perfect moment. The 2025 series finale wasn’t just a win; it was a historic, tear-soaked triumph that saw Karen become the first footballer ever to claim the crown, while Carlos etched his name as the first openly gay and Asian man to hoist the trophy. Their partnership — born from vastly different worlds (football pitch grit meets ballroom precision) — delivered fireworks week after week, culminating in an emotional outpouring that left the nation reaching for tissues.

Rewind to that unforgettable December 20, 2025, finale: the last live show hosted by the iconic duo Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who bowed out after two decades of warmth, wit, and ‘keep dancing’ sign-offs. The atmosphere was electric as finalists battled it out — Karen and Carlos versus West End star Amber Davies and social media personality George Clarke. Their performances were flawless: a high-octane Jive redo, a dramatic Paso Doble from Blackpool, and a showdance to Inner Smile by Texas that sealed the deal.

When the winners were announced, Carlos broke down in sobs — not just from joy, but from profound gratitude. Turning to Karen, he confessed through tears: ‘She changed my life.’ He admitted arriving at Strictly years earlier as a ‘self-centred‘ competitor focused on ‘me me me,’ but Karen taught him humility, kindness, and true teamwork. ‘She’s the best thing that I’ve ever had in 2025,’ he declared, crediting her with making him ‘a little more human.’

Karen, the retired Lioness with 144 England caps, mirrored the sentiment. ‘This is the happiest I’ve ever been,’ she said, describing how Strictly ‘fixed’ her after post-retirement insecurities and punditry pressures. Their win was more than a trophy — it was a celebration of growth, authenticity, and national support that had viewers cheering from living rooms to pubs.

Post-victory, Carlos took to social media in a reflective New Year post: ‘2026 is a year of grounding — to stay humble and to give joy to as many people as possible.’ He thanked Karen profusely: ‘This win was more than just a glitterball. It was about humanity, joy, and becoming more human.‘ The message resonated deeply, with fans praising the duo’s authenticity in an era of polished reality TV.

Now, as Strictly gears up for its next chapter — complete with new hosts amid the Tess and Claudia exit — Carlos is looking ahead with excitement rather than nostalgia. He acknowledged the change: ‘They are icons, both Claudia and Tess, they made Strictly… It is going to be different, and it’s going to be fine.‘ But his eyes are on The Traitors, Claudia’s other BBC juggernaut, where contestants scheme, lie, and betray in a bid for a massive cash prize.

The Traitors has become a cultural phenomenon since its 2022 debut — a mix of psychological games, cloak-and-dagger drama, and Claudia’s masterful hosting that keeps viewers hooked. Carlos’s interest isn’t surprising: his Strictly journey proved he’s got the charisma to shine in high-pressure environments, the emotional depth to connect with audiences, and now the champion status that makes him a prime candidate for celebrity editions or special series.

Fans are already campaigning: ‘Carlos on The Traitors would be iconic!‘ one posted on X. ‘Imagine him bantering with Claudia again — pure gold.‘ Others speculate on how his dance-honed discipline and quick thinking would fare in the game’s missions and roundtables. His tour experience playing a similar format adds intrigue — would he be a Faithful or a Traitor? The mind boggles.

Of course, Carlos’s Strictly legacy is secure. Joining in 2022, he reached the final with Molly Rainford in his debut, missed a partner in 2024 (a low he now sees as a growth moment), and then soared in 2025. His routines with Karen — from the emotional Waltz to Whitney Houston’s One Moment In Time (earning near-perfect scores) to high-energy crowd-pleasers — showcased versatility, passion, and partnership magic.

The win also carried broader significance: representation matters. As the first openly gay and Asian champion, Carlos’s victory inspired countless viewers. Karen’s historic triumph as the first footballer broke barriers in a show that’s increasingly diverse. Their story — two underdogs proving doubters wrong — felt like a real-life fairy tale wrapped in sequins.

Looking forward, the Strictly Live tour beckons for both winners, with arena dates promising more magic. But Carlos’s Traitors hint suggests he’s hungry for more challenges. The BBC loves cross-pollination — pros dipping into other formats (think Giovanni Pernice’s ventures or Dianne Buswell’s projects) — so a Claudia reunion feels tantalizingly possible.

In the meantime, Carlos remains grounded. His social media reflects humility: thanking the BBC team, his agent, family, and friends for the ride. ‘This is exactly what I’ve learned from Karen,’ he wrote. ‘Thank you for giving absolutely everything to me.‘

As Strictly enters a new era and The Traitors continues to dominate ratings, one thing’s clear: Carlos Gu isn’t fading into the background. He’s ready — explicitly, enthusiastically ready — for whatever comes next. Whether it’s cloaks in a Scottish castle or another spin under the ballroom lights, the champion’s journey is far from over.

Fans will be watching closely. After a win that redefined ‘champion,’ Carlos’s next move could be even bigger. Stay tuned — because when a Strictly winner says ‘I’m ready,’ the TV world listens.

From glitterball glory to potential Traitor treachery, Carlos Gu’s star is only rising higher. And if Claudia Winkleman gets that call? Expect fireworks — on and off the dancefloor.