Chris McCausland wows Strictly fans as Dianne Buswell reveals how she taught blind comedian to dance
Strictly Come Dancing star Chris McCausland seriously impressed viewers with his first ever performance on the hit show. The blind comedian took to the floor for the first time with partner Dianne Buswell to dance a Cha Cha to Twist and Shout by The Beatles.
The comedian admitted he was terrified before taking to the floor, revealing he had only danced at weddings before. Dianne explained how she had been teaching him to dance without sight. "Obviously I can't show him what something needs to look like," she said.
"But Chris sort of places his hand on my body, or he feels how my arms are, feels what my legs are doing and then he instantly gets an idea of what he should be doing." The duo also trained of the studio floor before their debut performance. Chris said it was useful to get it in his mind where the judges and cameras were ahead of the performance.
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Craig kicked off the coments, and was immediately interrupted by head judge Shirley Ballas. He said: "The neck was lurching forward, you were picking up your feet way too much. There wasn't a straight leg in the building."
"That's not true," Motsi and Shirley interjected, saying they had been specifically watching and saw him with straight legs. Shirley said: "I saw the straight legs at the beginning....that was for me, actually I'm quite shocked and very emotional, fabulous."
Anton was speechless as he told the pair: "What do you say? It's one of the most extraordinary things I've ever seen in my whole life." Anton added that Chris had taken on steps that he would 'never try'.
Chris said he was 'too knackered to care' addressing Craig and his brutal comments. Chris and Dianne received a total of 23 points from the judges - being awarded a six from Motsi and Shirley, a seven from Anton and just a four from Craig.
Viewers took to social media to comment on Chris's incredible performance. One wrote on X: "#Strictly isn’t it time the word disability was removed from people like Chris, over the years they have proved they are just as able bodied as every one else, he danced a blinder, no pun intended… FANTASTIC…"
A second said: "Chapeau bas to Diane! Great job teaching her partner Chris this beautiful dance!," while a third commented: "Craig criticising Chris! What? He danced better than some of the sighted contestants."
Another fan added: "How incredible of Chris to get through that routine. Wow," and a fifth added: "I thought Chris did really well and better than most tonight in some ways. Hope he goes far."
A sixth fan added: "I have the same eye condition as Chris McCausland (Retinitis Pigmentosa), and I still have some sight left and couldn't have done what he did. That was amazing! Dianne Buswell is such a brilliant professional. Well done!! #strictly."