Strictly star touted to win reveals she's been struck down by sickness

Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell are the bookmakers’ favourite to win Strictly (PA Media)
Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell are the bookmakers’ favourite to win Strictly (PA Media)

One half of the Strictly couple expected to win this year’s Strictly Come Dancing has admitted a setback.

Comedian Chris McCausland and pro Dianne Buswell have been the bookies favourite from almost the get go, with McCasuland making show history by becoming the BBC dance competition’s first-ever blind contestant.

Last weekend they were award a respectable score of 34 from the judges Instant Karma! (We All Shine On) by John Lennon and Yoko Ono.

The routine included a powerful black out moment as a nod to McCausland’s visual impairment and helped them to secure their place to this week’s show in Blackpool.

Things could have turned out very differently however with Australian-native Buswell admitted she was struck down with a stomach bug.

Sharing a video update on Thursday she explained that she hadn’t been very well on Friday or Saturday, the day of the live show, and called Sunday a “write off”.

“Monday I still wasn’t very well,” she added.

“What’s the funny thing?” McCausland - who also featured in the clip - then probed.

Answering for her, he said: “It’s that last week, with all those lifts that we had in that dance on Saturday, I said to you, ‘Do you know before we go out on Saturday, it’d be really handy if you went to the toilet and you did a massive poo, just to make yourself lighter for me.’

As they both laughed at the funny man exposing her bowel habits, he went on: “You’re such a genuine soul, such a lovely person, that you spent all Friday night just…”

“Loosening my bowels,” Buswell added, sending McCausland into hysterics.

“Both ends,” he added. “You didn’t have a good night, did you?”

“Full marks for you for getting through it,” he concluded.

Fans were equally fully of praise and rushed to the comments section to voice their support.

“Aw Di i hope you are feeling so much better,” wrote one person, adding: “I absolutely love you two as a dance couple.”

Another agreed: “The black out and hold was INCREDIBLE, made me cry. Even more amazing now I have visions of poop flying out as Diane goes round. You guys are so good.”