Strictly inspirational!

ELLA DICKINSON cha-champions Strictly's first ever blind dance contestant, Chris McCausland, and urges you to VOTE CHRIS!

BBC Strictly Come Dancing’s Chris McCausland is inspiring viewers weekly by taking to the dance floor, despite his disability. Chris is the first ever blind contestant to take part in the channel’s weekly instalment of glitter balls, sparkle, dance moves and joy.

The British comedian and actor, who is best known for his TV appearances in comedy shows such as Would I Lie to You? and live tours, opened up about his disability on the show. He shared how he was diagnosed with the hereditary condition Retinitis Pigmentosa at 22 years of age when he started to experience sight loss. And his appearance on the dance competition has raised awareness surrounding the condition. The National Eye Institute have explain how early signs of the disease include loss of peripheral and night vision.

The dream team

Partnered with Australian Strictly pro dancer Dianne Buswell, the two make the dream team. In a recent interview on ITV’s This Morning, Dianne admitted that she “had no idea how it was going to work.” She emphasised how “trial and error” is integral in their work process.

Taking to the dance floor in week one, the pair stunned viewers with their awe-inspiring Cha-Cha routine to The Beatles’ ‘Twist and Shout’. They started strongly with a solid score of 23 (out of 40), followed by an impressive surge to 29 in Week Two for their Foxtrot. And in ‘Movie Week’ fans were delighted to see them hit the 30s! Their Salsa in Week Four kept their progress steady with the score of 30 and their lifts were certainly ‘off the chart!’

Too knackered to care!

Strictly judge Anton Du Becke stated on the live show that Chris McCausland’s dancing was “the most brilliant thing” he had ever seen. The longest serving judge on the panel, Craig Revel Horwood is a harder nut to crack, however. Craig stated that “there was not a straight leg in the building” in the pair’s Cha-Cha routine. Chris snapped back with one of his witty remarks: “Do you know what Craig, I am literally too knackered to care mate.” Even Craig himself couldn’t resist the urge to smile.

Dianne Buswell joined Strictly in 2017. She reached the final with her current partner Joe Sugg who she met on the show in 2018. The glitter-ball was in reach for the pair, yet Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton lifted the trophy. Could this be Dianne’s year?

Tune into BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday nights at 6:25pm to find out! Chris is helping to encourage people with blindness not be defined by their disability. He truly is an inspiration to all.

Vote Chris and Dianne to help them be one step closer to lifting that glitter-ball trophy.

One last thing. Don’t forget to… keep dancing!

Written by ELLA DICKINSON (BA English Language student, University of Chester, UK)