Strictly Come Dancing sign ups 'first blind contestant' who is 'up for a challenge'
Chris McCausland has reportedly signed up for this year's Strictly Come Dancing. The Liverpool-born comedian will be the show's first blind contestant.
The rumoured signing comes three years after deaf actress Rose Ayling-Ellis took home the Glitterball Trophy after dancing her way to the final with dance professional Giovanni Pernice. BBC bosses are said to be "delighted" by the signing, and are hoping to "showcase disability on TV."
Chris was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, which caused him to lose his sight completely at 22 years old, he's since described this time as "scary and embarrassing." Chris previously explained: "I got myself into bad situations because I didn’t want to ask for help. I will never be on a level playing field with everyone else."
Sharing the news of Chris's potential Strictly stint, a source told The Sun: "Strictly Come Dancing bosses are delighted by the signing and think Chris will be great on the show. He has a hilarious sense of humour and an infectious personality. Producers are really keen to showcase disability on TV and are conscious of how important it is.
"Chris loves working and doing TV so it’s the perfect project. Chris has spoken openly of his sight issues and is determined to show it won’t hold him back on the ballroom dance floor."
OK! have contacted Chris McCausland's representatives. Representatives from the BBC declined to comment.
Last year Chris appeared on the Channel 4 series Scared of the Dark, alongside Gogglebox's Scarlett Moffatt, former boxer Chris Eubank, and former Love Islander Chloe Burrows. The show, which was ultimately won by Paul Gascoigne, saw the celebs living for eight days in total darkness.
Ahead of his time in the Scared of the Dark bunker, Chris said: "I’m blind but I don’t see black. I still see light and space, I still have an awareness of the space around me, not in terms of objects and things, but in terms of the room and whether there might be something in front of me.
"It just gives you that awareness that you’re taking that away from me. I’m a slave to my iPhone like everybody else. So on paper you go, ‘Well, I should nail this,’ but in one area I should be more practically adjusted."
Chris has made numerous TV appearances throughout his career, including Would I Lie to You?, Have I Got News for You, and 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown.
