Chris McCausland: Blind Individuals Do Not Require Inspiration

Strictly Come Dancing winner Chris McCausland has expressed his view that blind individuals “don’t need inspiring,” following his historic participation as the first blind contestant on the program. He informed BBC News that “The biggest benefit to everybody you can make is changing people’s attitudes towards disabilities.” The comedian, alongside his professional partner Dianne Buswell, secured victory in the 22nd series of the BBC One program on Saturday. They triumphed over 14 other couples to claim this year’s glitterball trophy. McCausland, aged 47, became registered blind during his 20s due to sight loss caused by retinitis pigmentosa. Throughout the series, he received commendation for challenging preconceived notions regarding the capabilities of a blind individual on the dancefloor. His method for learning dance moves involved getting onto his hands and knees to feel Buswell’s feet and legs, thereby comprehending her instructions. He recounted, laughing, that “And sometimes she’d just have to pick one of my limbs up and put it where she wanted, like I was one of them bendy spidermen toys.” He explained that both he and Buswell developed their approach collaboratively during the process. He stated, “Learning the routines was a bit of trial and error really. Dianne hadn’t spent any time with anyone who’s blind even in daily life, and I’d never danced, so neither of us had a clue.” He added, “She had to use a lot of descriptions. She had to use a lot more words than she’s used to when she’s teaching people to dance.” He mentioned that certain routines were less difficult than others, noting that the paso doble presented a particular challenge. He elaborated, “You get four days to learn these routines, and on Wednesday she was still trying to explain to me what the posture was meant to be.” McCausland, who was considered the bookmakers’ favourite to win on Saturday evening, executed three dances with Buswell during the final. Four days later, he reported being “still aching.” He commented, “People say, ‘Doing Strictly, do you feel fitter?’ And I reckon I will be the fittest I’ve been in a long time, but at the minute I think I’m just recovering.” He added, “It’s so full on, and the closer you get to the final, the more hours you have to put in. But it’s thoroughly worth it.” In the grand final, the duo presented routines, including their waltz set to “You’ll Never Walk Alone” by Gerry and the Pacemakers. McCausland declined participation in Strictly on two previous occasions before ultimately accepting. His involvement followed a challenging summer for the program, during which several former celebrity participants publicly discussed their unfavorable experiences on Strictly. The BBC issued an apology to Amanda Abbington and validated some of her grievances against her 2023 dance partner Giovanni Pernice, encompassing allegations of verbal bullying and harassment, while exonerating him from the most severe accusations. Furthermore, the corporation implemented new duty of care protocols, such as assigning chaperones to rehearsals. McCausland stated he had “no doubt” that past participants encountered difficulties, noting that “a lot of pressure” was placed on both dancers and contestants. He further commented, “But I think the BBC have gone out of their way to listen to what’s happened and try and create a supportive environment. I had no problems.” The pair additionally performed their couple’s choice routine to “Instant Karma” by John Lennon once more. This routine, when initially performed last month, gained widespread attention on social media due to a “blackout moment” incorporated to simulate McCausland’s experience with blindness. The “blackout moment” was repeated in the final, earning a score of 38 and impressing the judges. McCausland explained that the intention behind the blackout moment was to immerse viewers and audiences in darkness and to “surprise them” with the possibilities that can emerge from it. He remarked, “I had the idea and I hoped it was received in the way it was intended, and people loved it. They really connected with it. And I was delighted that it wasn’t seen as gimmicky. It was really appreciated.” However, he clarified that he does not consider himself a “role model” for blind individuals. He stated, “It’s changing everybody else’s attitudes to what is possible, raising people’s expectations, because that’s where the difference is.” Following McCausland and Buswell’s success in the public vote on Saturday, the charity Sense commended his victory, asserting it would “lead to many more disabled people being included in the biggest TV shows.” Step Change Studios, an organization providing specialized ballroom classes for blind individuals, also expressed approval, noting McCausland had created “such a positive impact.” Dr. Rashmi Becker, the founder, informed BBC News, “We’ve seen an increase in the number of people wanting to join our blind ballroom programme – to the point that I can’t respond quickly enough!” McCausland described this feedback as “lovely” to hear. He remarked, “I didn’t expect what we were doing to be appreciated to the level it has been.” He continued, “I never expected dancing to be emotional. I just expected it to be this entertainment show with dancing, and if you were good, people were entertained.” He concluded, “I didn’t expect people to be moved and for people to cry – I didn’t expect to cry on it – so it’s just been so much more than I ever thought it could’ve been.” However, McCausland will not participate in the Strictly live tour due to scheduling conflicts with his stand-up tour, which commences in January and includes over 250 dates throughout the UK. He is also featured in “Bad Tidings,” a Christmas comedy-drama scheduled to air on Sky Max this Sunday. Nevertheless, he has not dismissed the possibility of dancing again in the future. He remarked, “People are saying, ‘You can dance now’. I can’t dance now. I can dance with Dianne.” He concluded, “So maybe in the future me and Dianne can do something together. Dianne may be able to take me for a spin over the summer!”