Chris McCausland, who won Strictly Come Dancing last year, has admitted that he knew “nothing” about the BBC series before he signed up
Chris McCausland (Image: Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
Strictly Come Dancing champion Chris McCausland has made a ‘terrifying’ confession, revealing he ‘knew nothing’ about the BBC programme.
The 48 year old comedian became the first blind contestant on BBC’s Latin and Ballroom competition last year.
He wowed both the panel and audiences nationwide, ultimately claiming the coveted Glitterball Trophy alongside professional dance partner Dianne Buswell, who is expecting her first baby with YouTuber Joe Sugg.
Despite his triumph on the BBC smash hit show, Chris confessed the programme was “not on (his) radar” initially.
During Friday’s (October 31) instalment of The Graham Norton Show, Chris revealed: “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”, reports Wales Online.
Chris McCausland became the first blind contestant on BBC’s Latin and Ballroom competition last year(Image: BBC)
The performer lost his vision aged 22 owing to retinitis pigmentosa, but shared that exploring his blindness proved unexpectedly “interesting” whilst penning his fresh autobiography Keep Laughing.
The comic explained: “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 has previously spoken with pride about representing disabled people on mainstream television and hopes he encourages those facing physical challenges to understand there are “no limits” to what they can accomplish.
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 stunned by the gruelling physical requirements of Strictly Come Dancing and voiced amazement that more contestants don’t pick up injuries given the show’s “relentless” demands.
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.
