Strictly star Chris McCausland mugged at knifepoint by ‘scumbags’ who pressed a blade into his stomach

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Climbing champion Chris McCausland says he was robbed by two people who threatened him with knives.

I was really surprised to read in his memoir, *Keep Laughing*, that he went through something so shocking as a teenager. He actually opened up about being attacked, and it was definitely a part of his story I hadn’t heard before. It’s brave of him to share something so personal, and I have a lot of respect for him for doing so.

Chris, who lost his vision at 22 due to a genetic eye condition called retinitis pigmentosa, said he was approached by a group of people while he was out in his hometown of Liverpool.

He remembered two people threatening him with switchblades, pressing the blades into his stomach – a clear and terrifying message that needed no further explanation.

One of the guys, clearly not thinking things through, mentioned money. I said, ‘Okay, okay,’ and then, on a whim – whether it was a brilliant idea, incredible courage, or just plain foolishness – I tried to give them only the loose change I had in my pocket.

I honestly have no idea what I was doing. I grabbed a small amount of change – probably only a couple of pounds.

I remember Chris talking, and then it was my turn. I offered what we had to these two guys – honestly, they looked like they could take what they wanted. One of them said they’d been watching us since the ATM, and they pushed the knives closer. That’s when I just… froze. It was a really scary moment.

I needed a fast response so they wouldn’t think I was being disrespectful. “I know, I know,” I replied. “I was just about to address that. I wanted to be sure you had all the information first.”

I took two folded bills from the small pocket in my jeans and gave them to the person. “Hey!” someone called out. “That young man is being robbed!”

And just like that, the two down-on-their-luck men hurried away towards the backstreets of Liverpool, sharing thirty pounds between them. What a pair.

Chris added that the time he didn’t want to worry his parents so never told them. 

He confessed: ‘Reading this might be the first they learn of it. 

I realize getting mugged wasn’t my fault, and wasn’t related to my vision. But I worried that if I told my parents about it, they might react differently towards me.

Chris started losing his eyesight as a teenager, and he once described the experience as frightening and humiliating.

He admitted he often struggled because he hesitated to ask for assistance. He realized he was at a disadvantage compared to others and didn’t feel like he had an equal opportunity.

My vision got much worse during college, and the technology wasn’t good enough back then for me to continue with my plans to become a web developer, so I had to change careers.

Chris grew up in West Derby Village, Liverpool. He initially worked as a web developer, but switched to sales when his vision began to worsen. It was around this time that he also began performing stand-up comedy.

I first noticed him at a new act night – he was instantly funny! It wasn’t long before others did too; he actually *won* the Jongleurs J2O Last Laugh competition, which really put him on the map. That win led to even more recognition in other comedy contests, and it was clear he was going places.

He quickly became successful, performing at the Edinburgh Fringe for seven years and even appearing on the popular show, Live At The Apollo.

He became the first blind contestant to compete on and win Strictly Come Dancing last year, taking home the Glitterball Trophy with his partner, Dianne Buswell.

Chris McCausland’s Keep Laughing is out now  

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2025-10-16 11:20