Chris McCausland made history as the first blind contestant on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing. The comedian, known for his work on CBeebies and Channel 4's Scared of the Dark, lost his sight at 22 due to a hereditary condition.
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He recently shared insights about his experience on the show on ITV’s This Morning. Chris is paired with professional dancer Dianne Buswell - who was paired with Bobby Brazier last year. He has captivated audiences with his charm and determination, despite the challenges posed by his condition.
Chris McCausland opens up about being on Strictly
According to The Express, Chris is tackling a particularly challenging jive routine to the Wayne's World theme this week. Talking about his upcoming performance, Chris told Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard that the ‘very fast’ dance routine is taking a toll on him.
Explaining how it’s difficult for him to know and get the steps, he said:
I can't feel my legs, it's killing me…It's mentally draining. There's a lot of description and sometimes I have to get onto my hands and knees and feel what her [Dianne's] feet are doing.
She [Dianne] has got muscles in the lower part of her legs that I didn't even know existed. Sometimes as well, she gets on her hands and knees and just picks my leg up and puts it where she wants. It's like I'm one of those bendy Spiderman figures.
He also opened up about how his daughter did not want him to sign up for the show in the fear that he may ‘break his leg.’ He said:
Everyone I knew said, 'How are you going to do that?' Even my daughter said to me, 'No, Daddy, you'll fall off the stage and break your leg.'
Chris McCausland on why he feels ‘left out’ of the show
The actor previously also opened up about feeling ‘left out’ of the show due to his visual impairment, reports The Express. During a candid discussion with his partner Dianne Buswell on their daily Instagram video series - CHRIS'S DIAnneRIES, Chris said he has never been a part of something so ‘big and massive.’
Sharing his struggles of not being able to fully engage with the show and its format, he said:
I've never been part of something so big and massive that we're all in the same s**t together, the same boat together, but I've also never felt so left out at the same time…Because I'm in it but I'm not in it.
When Dianne assured him he was part of the show, Chris replied:
But I don't know what anyone else is doing. The music's good but…
I do [feel left out]. I don't know what anyone else is doing. It's a visual show, isn't it? I don't even know what I'm doing. Like, I haven't watched it back to say, 'That looked good, didn't it? '
Following his confession many people flocked to the comment section to show their respect and adoration for him.
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Sources used:
The Express: BBC Strictly's Chris McCausland admits 'I can't feel my legs' just days before live show
The Express: Strictly's Chris McCausland supported as he admits to feeling 'left out' on show
