Chris McCausland addresses Strictly Come Dancing rumours
The comedian joked that he hadn't seen the rumours about him doing the BBC show
What did you miss?
Comedian Chris McCausland has played down rumours he is about to become the first blind contestant on Strictly Come Dancing, teasing that the BBC wouldn’t be able to afford the insurance.
There have been rumours that the star - who lost his sight 24 years ago at 22 because of hereditary condition Retinitis Pigmentosa – has signed up for this year’s series of the BBC ballroom show, which featured deaf actor Rose Ayling-Ellis three years ago. McCausland would be to the first blind celeb to take to the Strictly dancefloor.
He was asked about it during an appearance on BBC’s The One Show, but played his cards close to his chest.
What, how and why?
Host Alex Jones mentioned the whispers, saying there were rumours that McCausland was doing Strictly this year. “Are there?” he said, joking: “I haven’t seen the papers!”
He went on: “Let’s be honest right, I don’t think the BBC could afford the insurance, could they?
“I mean, me on the dancefloor, I’d take out three cameras a week!”
What else did Chris McCausland say on The One Show?
Jones asked whether, if McCausland were to take part, he’d be “fresh” to dancing or had any experience.
The comic, who was a contestant in the Channel 4 reality television series Scared Of The Dark last year, replied: “I am a child of the 90s grunge scene. I grew up with rock and metal and headbanging and mosh pits and crowd surfing.”
“That is the extent of my experience,” he laughed.
In 2021, EastEnders actor Rose Ayling-Ellis made history when she became the first deaf contestant on Strictly Come Dancing. She was paired up with pro Giovanni Pernice in the contest and the pair dazzled judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Anton Du Beke and Motsi Mabuse. The pair went on to win the series and lift the coveted Glitterball trophy.
McCausland is one of the first celebs to be linked to this year's series, which is expected to start in the autumn. Others being mentioned include newsreader Clive Myrie, Tom Malone Jr from Gogglebox and The Traitors' Mollie Pearce. Another celeb thought to be in the mix is Ted Lasso's Hannah Waddingham.
Yahoo has contacted the BBC for comment on rumours about McCausland signing up.
