Strictly’s Chris McCausland final words to partner Dianne Buswell before their epic dance are revealed as series’ first blind star overcomes self-doubt to become show’s saving grace

Strictly's Chris McCausland final words to partner Dianne Buswell before their epic dance are revealed as series' first blind star overcomes self-doubt to become show's saving grace

As I delve into the compelling narrative of Chris’s life, I am struck by both his resilience and humor in the face of adversity. Born with Retinitis Pigmentosa, a condition that gradually robbed him of his sight, one might expect despair and bitterness. However, Chris’s story is far from it.


His epic Cha Cha has been hailed the dance of the night and one of the all-time greatest moments on Strictly Come Dancing.  

It has come to light that Chris McCausland may have already put himself in a position for disappointment, even before he started dancing.

The comedian, aged 47, became a historical figure by being the initial blind participant on the show, as he confessed that he was unaware of what to anticipate since he has never been able to observe the dance competition due to his visual impairment.

Before stepping onto the dance floor for my ballroom debut this coming Saturday evening, I must admit, I was doubtful about my abilities.

On Sunday, after receiving a score of 23 out of 40 for their Cha Cha to The Beatles’ Twist and Shout on Instagram, Chris’ professional partner Dianne Buswell shared that the comedian had expressed doubts before their performance.

Strictly's Chris McCausland final words to partner Dianne Buswell before their epic dance are revealed as series' first blind star overcomes self-doubt to become show's saving grace

Strictly's Chris McCausland final words to partner Dianne Buswell before their epic dance are revealed as series' first blind star overcomes self-doubt to become show's saving grace

Next to a collection of photos from the show, Dianne, aged 35, wrote: ‘Heart Wow, what an incredible evening! I must confess, dancing alongside Chris last night is among the most unforgettable dance moments in my life!’

He advised me before we left, “Let’s not set high expectations for ourselves by saying we’ll be amazing, as that only adds pressure. Instead, let’s tell ourselves we’re just going out to have a good time!” Following this, he seemed a bit confused and exclaimed something like, “What on earth am I doing here?

‘Thank you for your trust Chris your an absolute LEGEND and I can not wait to share that floor with you as many times as we get the chance too @chrismccauslandcomedy @bbcstrictly.’ 

Chris promptly answered the post with a comment that shared his emotional exhaustion, stating: ‘I’m still reeling from it and working on recovery.’

‘You are the absolute best! See you on Monday partner ❤️’. 

After Saturday’s show, some fans are predicting that Chris could win the Glitterball Trophy.

The comedian had successfully made the audience laugh out loud, as they couldn’t help but find amusement in his series of popular jokes that spread online.

20 years back, the comedian shared his story about switching careers drastically when he lost his vision. This unexpected event led him to abandon his role as a web developer.

Strictly's Chris McCausland final words to partner Dianne Buswell before their epic dance are revealed as series' first blind star overcomes self-doubt to become show's saving grace
Strictly's Chris McCausland final words to partner Dianne Buswell before their epic dance are revealed as series' first blind star overcomes self-doubt to become show's saving grace

Following his successful stint in the children’s show Me Too on CBeebies, he has firmly established himself as a regular face in the world of comedy.

Born and raised in Liverpool, Chris experienced vision loss about 20 years ago, during his teenage years (between 16 and 21). This was due to retinitis pigmentosa, a condition where the light-detecting cells in the retina slowly break down over time, as per the National Health Service’s explanation.

Retinitis Pigmentosa, or RP for short, represents a set of uncommon, genetically inherited conditions where there’s damage and eventual death of cells within the retina – the light-detecting layer at the rear of the eye.

According to information on the NHS site, individuals experiencing Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) may progressively lose their sight due to the gradual breakdown of light-detecting cells in the retina.

The retina, when viewed by an expert through the eyes, typically has a dark brown or black coloration.

During his participation on Channel 4’s Scared of the Dark, Chris clarified that although he is visually impaired, he doesn’t experience total darkness. Instead, he perceives something other than blackness.

As I navigate through this expansive world, I remain mindful of the open spaces that surround me, not just focusing on tangible items, but rather sensing the dimensions of the room, always keeping a keen eye out for potential obstacles ahead.

‘It makes you feel like you’re depriving me of something important. In essence, I’m as dependent on my iPhone as everyone else. On the surface, it seems like I should excel in this situation, but there’s one aspect where I need to adapt more realistically.’

It’s intriguing to observe how fast others will reach that stage. For a change, I’m eager to be in the best physical condition for a while, as it doesn’t occur frequently.

Strictly's Chris McCausland final words to partner Dianne Buswell before their epic dance are revealed as series' first blind star overcomes self-doubt to become show's saving grace
Strictly's Chris McCausland final words to partner Dianne Buswell before their epic dance are revealed as series' first blind star overcomes self-doubt to become show's saving grace

In 2012, I found myself transitioning from my role as a dedicated web developer due to deteriorating eyesight. The once vibrant digital landscapes I crafted became increasingly blurred and unattractive, making it difficult to continue in my profession.

I realized that no one appreciated an unattractive website, which led me to consider leaving the IT field entirely.

Initially, I found myself employed at a call center as a temporary measure while I pondered over my future aspirations. During this period, I decided to take a chance on stand-up comedy, which has led us here after nine years.

Following his debut in comedy at a new act comedy night in 2003, Chris swiftly garnered attention for his humor upon winning the Jongleurs J2O Last Laugh competition. This recognition soon extended to other competitive platforms as well.

After a rapid ascent, his career lasted for seven years at the Edinburgh Fringe, culminating in a performance on Live At The Apollo in 2018. This was followed by multiple television appearances.

During an interview with The Guardian in 2021, Chris revealed that he too attempted to join MI5 as a spy, but ultimately didn’t meet the requirements because of his vision problems.

‘I got down to the last 30 out of 3,000 for MI5 selection,’ he said.

In the end, I was denied due to my vision problems. I understand that it’s reasonable. It’s completely alright to discriminate in such cases for the sake of national security. The role involved identifying and focusing on potential terrorist threats, which obviously requires quick decision-making.

 

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2024-09-23 11:49

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