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Who is Strictly Come Dancing contestant Chris McCausland?
And Chris McCausland opened up about losing his eye sight
CHRIS McCausland is celebrated for his standout performances across a range of TV shows and his engaging comedy.
The comedian has now landed a major opportunity as a confirmed contestant on Strictly Come Dancing.
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What is Chris McCausland known for?
Chris McCausland is a British comedian and actor, born on June 15, 1977, in Liverpool.
He is widely recognized for his role in the CBeebies show Me Too!.
In 1996 he moved to Kingston for university to study an undergraduate degree in software engineering to become a web developer.
Chris, who is blind due to retinitis pigmentosa—a condition that impairs vision in low-light conditions—has spoken candidly about his experiences.
He lost his sight at the age of 22, and in reflecting on this period, he shared, "When it started happening, it was scary and embarrassing.
"I found myself in difficult situations because I was reluctant to ask for help.
"I knew I would never be on a level playing field with everyone else.
"My eyesight deteriorated significantly while I was at university, and the technology available at that time wasn’t advanced enough, so I had to abandon my career path in web development."
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After not being able to become a web developer he applied to the MI5.
He said: “I applied to MI5, and got down to the final 30 out of 3,000 applicants.
"They were excited at first, and said that this was new territory for them, but in the end they turned me down purely because of my eyesight.
"Fair enough, I suppose.”
His comedic career began in earnest in 2003, with his stand-up debut in Balham, London.
He has since become a fixture on the UK comedy circuit, performing at renowned venues such as The Comedy Store, and has taken his act around the world, including Asia and the Middle East.
He performed six stand-up shows at the Edinburgh Festival from 2005 to 2012 and won the Creative Diversity Award for comedy in 2011.
In February 2023, McCausland appeared on BBC Radio 4's The Museum of Curiosity, and the following year, he returned to radio for Room 101, hosted by Paul Merton.
Chris McCausland's Inspiring Journey to Strictly 💃✨
Is Chris McCausland married and does he have children?
Chris is private when it comes to his personal life.
However, we do know he is married to wife Patricia.
The couple also have a daughter called Sophie.
What TV shows has Chris McCausland been in?
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Chris McCausland has gone on to appear on several comedy shows including Would I Lie to You? and Have I Got News For You.
Here we take a closer look at his notable appearances.
Strictly Come Dancing
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On Monday, August 5, 2024, it was announced that he is going to be a contestant at Strictly Come Dancing 2024.
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.”
Chris said in an interview about joining Strictly Come Dancing: “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.”
Would I Lie to You?
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On Would I Lie to You? Chris appeared as a guest, participating in the show’s unique format that involves panelists telling stories, some true and some false.
The other panelists, including the host, try to discern which stories are lies and which are the truth.
Have I Got News For You
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Chris appeared as a guest panelist.
The show is a satirical news quiz where contestants, typically comedians and celebrities, discuss and joke about current events and news stories.
Me Too!
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He is also known to fans of CBeebies show Me Too! thanks to his role as Rudi.
In the show, Chris plays Rudi, a friendly and engaging character who interacts with the children and other characters in a fun and educational manner.
His role as Rudi showcases his ability to connect with a young audience and bring humour and warmth to his performance.
The show is known for its vibrant storytelling and engaging educational content.
EastEnders
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Soap fans might recognise him from a guest appearance on EastEnders in 2018.
He played Karl, a blind man who took on Bernadette Taylor at chess.
8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown
Chris appeared on 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, and scored highly.
This was even more impressive considering he was playing from memory alone, and at the end of the show, he got the Countdown Conundrum before anyone else.
During the show, host Jimmy Carr brought out blindfolds for the other contestants, challenging them to play the game without sight.
It’s brilliant to see greater representation of people with disabilities on reality shows.
Spokeswoman of The Royal National Institute of Blind People
Celebrity Antiques Road Trip
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In 2021 Chris also appeared on Celebrity Antiques Road Trip alongside Rufus Hound in a bid to make as much money for charity as possible.
This special edition of the popular Antiques Road Trip series featured celebrities teaming up to explore antique shops and markets, seeking valuable items to buy and sell for charity.
During their journey, Chris and Rufus Hound visited various locations, using their knowledge and instincts to find items that could potentially fetch a high price at auction.
The aim was to raise as much money as possible for charitable causes, adding a feel-good element to the show.
Scared of the Dark
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In 2023 he took part in Channel 4's Scared of the Dark alongside stars including Paul Gascoigne and Scarlett Moffatt.
The show brings together a diverse group of stars to confront their fears and test their resilience in an environment where they must rely on their other senses.
Chris joined a notable lineup of celebrities, including former footballer Paul Gascoigne and TV personality Scarlett Moffatt.
He told RadioTimes about his experience in the show: "What I learned about myself is that it's not just black that I can because I lost my sight gradually, so it's all just blurry light, and I've always thought I could see blurry light, so when I go in there it'd be pitch black and when I went in there I could just still see blurry light.
"I was like, 'I'm imagining that in my head' because it didn't look massively different to what everything looks to be outside.
"I was like, 'God I think my brain has been playing tricks on me forever.'
"So it gave me an experience of being the most able out of everybody for a while and really trying to help them through it."
Richard Osman's House of Games
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In December 2023, Chris was a contestant on Richard Osman's House of Games.
He showcased his general knowledge and quick thinking in a series of entertaining and diverse quiz challenges alongside other celebrity participants.
The Wonders of the World I Can't See
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In July 2022, Channel 4 announced that Chris would be the presenter of an exciting new travelogue series, called The Wonders of the World I Can't See.
The series, which delves into Chris unique exploration of various global landmarks and cultural wonders, aired over four episodes in June and July 2023.
Throughout the series, he offered a fresh perspective on these iconic sites.
Moving On
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In 2014, he appeared in an episode of the acclaimed drama series Moving On, created by Jimmy McGovern.
The show, known for its poignant and thought-provoking storytelling, featured him alongside fellow actors Anna Crilly and Neil Fitzmaurice.
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Deal or No Deal
In 2012, he joined a lineup of fellow comedians in a special charity episode of Celebrity Deal or No Deal, hosted by Jimmy Carr.
This unique episode of the popular game show featured celebrities playing for a good cause.