The friendship between Strictly‘s Nancy Xu and Carlos Gu has ‘no way of coming back’, according to new reports.

Despite being close friends since childhood, Carlos and Nancy reportedly fell out last year, with sources claiming they were ‘refusing to speak backstage’. 

During the final last week, fans spotted a telling sign that their feud was far from over after Nancy maintained a stoney expression during Carlos’ speech.

Carlos tearfully said he was ‘self-centred’ before being paired with winner Karen Carney, noting that was why he missed out on a celebrity partner last year. 

Some onlookers took this comment to be a dig towards Nancy, as she was not given a partner this year and at the time shared her disappointment. 

An insider told The Sun: ‘It was painfully obvious that Nancy was the only person not completely elated about Carlos’ win.

The friendship between Strictly’s Nancy Xu (L) and Carlos Gu (R) has ‘no way of coming back’, according to new reports 

Despite being close friends since childhood, Carlos and Nancy reportedly fell out last year, with sources claiming they were ‘refusing to speak backstage’

‘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.’

The insider also shared that ‘half of the professional dancers thought the comments made by Carlos were meant to insult Nancy’, however the other half believe it was meant to be an ‘olive branch’. 

Daily Mail have reached out to Nancy and Carlos’ representatives for comment. 

The feud itself has been a bit of a mystery to fans of the show, with assumptions being made to its origin. 

The pair have been friends since they were young, often calling each other brother and sister in the past, and came to the UK together to further their careers within dance. 

Last year, after Carlos was not partnered with a celebrity, they stopped following each other on social media and reportedly refused to talk to each other. 

At the time, Carlos went on to address the feud, telling the Daily Mail’s Richard Eden: ‘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.’

During the final last week, fans spotted a telling sign that their feud was far from over after Nancy maintained a stoney expression during Carlos’ speech 

Carlos tearfully said he was ‘self-centred’ before being paired with winner Karen Carney, noting that was why he missed out on a celebrity partner last year 

Claudia moved in to comfort the dancer saying: ‘Oh Carlos, you are! You are a team player. You are, and we love you and your partnership is everything’

Struggling to compose himself in the Clauditorium, Carlos tearfully told viewers: ‘She’s changed my life. I I think she’s the best thing that I’ve ever had in 2025.’ 

Breaking down further, he reflected on how Karen had helped him grow both personally and professionally, saying she taught him kindness, humility and the importance of teamwork.

‘For the first time, I learned to be a team player,’ he said, before pausing to gather himself. 

Claudia moved in to comfort the dancer saying: ‘Oh Carlos, you are! You are a team player. You are, and we love you and your partnership is everything.

‘You’re okay, baby. You’re amazing.’  

The scene proved to be a defining one in the final and just minutes later, the pair were crowned Strictly Come Dancing champions, beating fellow finalists George Clarke and Amber Davies.

During Carlos’ speech, some fans were quick to spot Nancy’s furious expression, posting on X: ‘If you don’t like him then stay out of camera shot and keep your feelings to yourself.’

‘Could Nancy even attempt to hide her dislike for Carlos?’, ‘Nancy so not bothered by Carlos’ tears.’