Former Strictly Come Dancing winner Chris McCausland has discussed the ‘terrifying’ experience of taking part in the BBC show
Monde Mwitumwa TV and Celebrity Reporter
22:34, 31 Oct 2025
Chris McCausland (Image: Tristan Fewings/Getty Images)
Strictly Come Dancing winner Chris McCausland made a ‘terrifying’ admission as he revealed that he ‘knew nothing’ about the BBC series.
The 48 year old comedian became the first blind contestant on BBC’s Latin and Ballroom competition last year.
He managed to impress the judges and viewers at home as he went on to win the Glitterball Trophy with his professional partner Dianne Buswell, who is currently expecting her first child with YouTuber Joe Sugg.
Despite winning the BBC hit competition, Chris admitted that the programme was “not on (his) radar” beforehand.
Speaking on Friday’s (October 31) episode of The Graham Norton Show, Chris said: “Strictly was not on my radar, I knew nothing about it, and it was so far out of my comfort zone. It was intense and terrifying and because of that, I couldn’t be prouder.”
Chris McCausland became the first blind contestant on BBC’s Latin and Ballroom competition last year(Image: BBC)READ MORE: Strictly’s Craig Revel Horwood shares brutal verdict on Claudia Winkleman’s hostingREAD MORE: Strictly Come Dancing star admits ‘it’s a shame’ as she addresses judges ‘harsh’ score
The star lost his sight at the age of 22 due to a condition called retinitis pigmentosa but explained that he found discussing his blindness surprisingly “interesting” in his new memoir Keep Laughing.
The comedian stated: “There are three distinct things that have happened to me so far – I lost my sight, I became a comedian, and then Strictly, which is such a positive end to the part of my story.
“I thought going blind would be the hardest part to talk about, but I actually found it the most interesting bit. Talking about being a comedian was hard to make original.”
Chris previously expressed pride in representing disabled people on mainstream TV and hopes he inspires those with physical challenges to realise there are “no limits” in terms of what they can achieve.
He told the Metro newspaper earlier this year: “It really is an honour to represent those of us with a disability on one of the biggest shows on the telly.
Chris and Dianne won Strictly Come Dancing together (Image: PA)
“There are no limits to what we can do. Although, I do have somebody else do the driving on tour.”
Chris was taken aback by the physical demands of Strictly Come Dancing and expressed astonishment that more participants don’t sustain injuries due to the show’s “relentless” nature.
He said: “You start like you’re an athlete and you’re not an athlete. It’s eight hours a day, six days a week – it’s relentless.
“The first few weeks you pick up injuries that relate to the dance you’re doing. The jive – you feel like you’ve been on a mule for a week.
“The first time you do a bit of ballroom – your knees take it because you’re not used to it. It’s amazing more people don’t get injured permanently on that show.”
The Graham Norton Show airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer
