Entertainment

Comedian Chris McCausland first blind contestant on Strictly Come Dancing

The ‘worst-kept secret in British television’ was announced on ITV’s This Morning on Monday.

Chris McCausland will become Strictly Come Dancing’s first blind contestant
Chris McCausland will become Strictly Come Dancing’s first blind contestant
By Casey Cooper-Fiske, PA Entertainment Reporter

Comedian Chris McCausland joked he has “never watched” Strictly Come Dancing as he was revealed as the first blind contestant to take part in the show.

He was unveiled on ITV’s This Morning as the first official contestant for the 2024 series, and said: “This is literally the worst-kept secret there has ever been in British television.”

It had been widely reported that the 47-year-old would be joining the line-up.

He said: “I think it’s been out there – it’s been exhausting keeping a secret everyone seems to know.”

Asked how he feels about taking part, he said: “Apprehensive, massively apprehensive.

“I don’t know what I’m getting myself into. I’ve never watched it, obviously. It’s just some music.”

He added: “I don’t dance, I have never danced. I grew up with headbanging and mosh pits.”

McCausland lost his sight due to retinitis pigmentosa, a hereditary eye disease, which causes gradual degeneration of the retina.

He said: “If anybody out there is thinking ‘How the hell is he going to do that?’ then rest assured that I am thinking exactly the same thing.

“I don’t dance, I haven’t danced, I can’t dance, I can’t see the dancing I will have to do. What can possibly go wrong? Ok, don’t answer that.”

McCausland has hosted his own show on ITV on Saturday mornings, and has also featured on panel shows such as Have I Got News For You, 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown, and QI.

The announcement comes after swimmer Tom Dean announced he will be appearing on the show after reaching the final of the men’s 200 metres individual medley in the Paris 2024 Olympics last week.

The popular BBC dancing show has made headlines recently after a storm of controversy over the alleged treatment of contestants on the show.

The results of an investigation, launched by the BBC following allegations made about Giovanni Pernice by former participant Amanda Abbington, have not yet been published by the corporation.

Pernice rejects the allegations and fellow dancer Graziano Di Prima has also left the show.