Strictly winner Chris McCausland to address ableism in Channel 4’s Alternative Christmas Message
Comedian Chris McCausland is set to deliver Channel 4’s 2024 Alternative Christmas Message, where he will call for an end to discrimination against disabled people. The TV star, who earlier this month became the first blind person to win Strictly Come Dancing, will use his speech as a platform to highlight the resilience, creativity and determination of disabled individuals.
He'll kick off his message with a light-hearted apology for being caught "with a mouthful of mince pie", before using his love for the festive treat as a metaphor for equality. He'll say: "I don’t care if they’re the posh ones or the cheap ones, I don’t care if they’re the big ones or those tiny little dinky ones, whether it’s got a solid top or a lattice crown," adding that he doesn't discriminate against any type of mince pie.
He'll then touch on the topic of discrimination, saying: "Discrimination is never a good thing. Well, I mean sometimes I suppose. Many, many years ago before I got into comedy, I applied to be a spy for MI5."
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He'll reveal that he made it to the final 30 out of 3,000 applicants, but was ultimately turned down because they didn't think a blind spy was what they were looking for. "I think sometimes discrimination can be vital for the safety of the nation but usually, we can do better."
According to official stats, the disability employment rate in the UK was 53% in the second quarter of 2024, compared to 81.6% for non-disabled people. In response to these figures, Chris will say: "Is that discrimination? Well, I would argue it is, so let’s try and fix it eh? I think the Government can commit to something better than what they already do."
"Access To Work is a crucial Government service that provides workplace support and access technology to disabled people. It's fantastic that it exists, but I believe it’s under resourced. I’ve heard too many stories of disabled people securing employment, only to have to wait far too long to obtain the support that they need."
Chris will also argue that the wait time people experience with Access To Work, a Government support scheme which helps people with health conditions into employment, "needs to be shorter".
"Delays to this service strip away our confidence, our dignity, and our purpose in the workplace and I think, probably, also risk an employer’s desire to recruit anybody else in the future who may require adjustments," he explains. "Disabled people are often some of the most resilient, creative and determined people you will ever likely meet."
"We have to be in daily life and that makes us valuable people to have on the team. We can even win national dance competitions, just saying."
Chris will share his thoughts on equality, stating "disability is everywhere" and adding: "There are only really two types of people in this world. Those of us that are disabled, and those of us that aren’t disabled... yet."
He'll raise a glass with a festive "Merry Christmas" and encourage viewers to "treat everyone equally, the way I do my minced pies". Channel 4's Alternative Christmas Message, which first aired in 1993 as a counterpart to the King's annual speech, has featured a diverse range of speakers over the years, including Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Stephen Fry, Edward Snowden, John Bercow, and Danny Dyer.
Last year, for the annual Christmas message, an AI-powered robot took the stage. Tune in for Chris’ message at 4.50pm on Christmas Day on Channel 4.
