Strictly Come Dancing Chris McCausland has reflected on his ’emotional’ win as he says he will ‘never be a part of anything like that again’.
The blind comedian, 47, who lifted the Glitterball with partner Dianne Buswell, was also applauded by a disability charity for bringing representation to primetime TV.
Chris has won praise for ‘breaking down barriers’ on television after winning the BBC show over the weekend.
Breaking his silence on his incredible win, Chris wrote on X: ‘Well I likely won’t be a part of anything like that again. Saturday night was emotional and I haven’t quite recovered yet.
‘Thank you all so much for appreciating what we were able to do. It has been an incredible experience. Lots of love to you all #Strictly!’
Disability charity Scope claimed that Chris’ appearance on the show will help to ‘change perceptions’ and create conversation about disability inclusion.
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Strictly Come Dancing Chris McCausland has reflected on his ’emotional’ win as he says he will ‘never be a part of anything like that again’
The blind comedian, 47, who lifted the Glitterball with partner Dianne Buswell , was also applauded by a disability charity for bringing representation to primetime TV
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Chris has won praise for ‘breaking down barriers’ on television after winning the BBC show over the weekend
Alison Kerry, Head of Communications at disability equality charity Scope, said: ‘It’s fantastic that Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell won the Glitterball trophy.
‘One in four of us in the UK are disabled. Disability representation on TV, especially a flagship BBC show, is so important.
‘It helps to break down barriers, transforms attitudes, and give viewers a greater understanding to the lives, talent, and potential of disabled people.
‘Thanks to Chris’s winning performance, perceptions will be challenged and more people will be having conversations about the importance of disability inclusion and accessibility.
‘The impact of Strictly in breaking down barriers can’t be underestimated. It’s a hugely popular and entertaining programme. But the media industry still has a long way to go to achieve true disability representation.’
Chris has won the heart’s of the nation following his incredible turn on the show and is reportedly set to rake in a whopping £1M following Saturday’s nail-biting finale.
The funnyman was crowned champion during the live final alongside partner Dianne after beating fellow finalists Tasha Ghouri, Sarah Hadland.
Chris has already added an incredible 100 extra dates to his Yonks comedy tour and according to The Mirror is being lined up for TV presenting and acting gigs – after being said to have helped to save the glitzy competition following a year of scandals.
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Chris has won the heart’s of the nation following his incredible turn on the show and is reportedly set to rake in a whopping £1M following Saturday’s nail-biting finale
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The much loved funnyman was crowned champion during the live final on Saturday, alongside partner Dianne Buswell after beating fellow finalists Tasha Ghouri , JB Gill and Sarah Hadland
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Chris has already added an incredible 100 extra dates to his Yonks comedy tour and according to sources is being lined up for TV presenting and acting gigs
PR expert Mark Borkowski told the publication: ‘He hasn’t just danced his way to the bank, he’s carried Strictly there with him turning a potentially disastrous serious into a glittering headline-grabbing redemption arc’.
‘As a blind comedian, he’s shattered expectations and delivered a victory that eels both groundbreaking and natural, proving talent and charisma are what truly captivate an audience’.
Before adding: ‘Strictly just polished his star into prime-time gold’.
Meanwhile PR expert Mark Borkowski told The Mirror: ‘ Chris is the unlikely saviour of Strictly after a pre-season of turmoil’.
‘His authenticity and humour have given the show a shot of much-needed credibility and warmth, reminding everyone why they fell in love with the format in the first place’.
Before adding: ‘Strictly just polished his star into prime-time gold’.
Meanwhile Chris and his ‘down to earth humour’ are said to being lined up for a huge BBC show in a bid to boosts the broadcasters comedy output.
He has not only made history during his Strictly stint as the show’s first ever blind contestant, but also impressed bosses with his cheeky wit.
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Chris and his ‘down to earth humour’ are also reportedly being lined up for a huge BBC show in a bid to boosts the broadcasters comedy output
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Chris has not only made history during his Strictly stint as the show’s first ever blind contestant, but also impressed bosses with his cheeky wit which is said to have helped to save the glitzy competition following a year of scandals
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A dark cloud hanging over the show since January when 2023 contestant Amanda Abbington first came forward with her complaints about pro partner Giovanni Pernice
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The show was then hit with a fresh wave of scandal when Graziano Di Prima was sacked in July for ‘kicking’ his partner, Love Island star Zara McDermott
A source told The Sun: ‘What he did by keeping everyone in fits during the course of Strictly was show that he wasn’t just funny, but proved he had a traditional sense of humour that can connect with the ordinary viewers at home’.
‘That’s something which critics have said is lacking from many comedy series on the Beeb, and Chris could breathe new life into a genre which was once a mainstay for the corporation.’
Before adding that Chris’ talents could also be used for more general entrainment show and bosses are also planning to reunite him with pro partner Dianne to recapture their ‘sensational chemistry’.
MailOnline have contacted BBC for comment.
When he was announced a winner during the final Chris broke down in tears as he was embraced by his fellow celebs before throwing Dianne triumphantly over his shoulder while the audience went wild.
Asked how the moment felt by hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, Chris he: ‘It’s astonishing, I don’t know what to say. I honestly thought I was going to go out in the first week or two and I know nobody went out in the first week but I still thought I could.
‘We’ve just lasted and lasted and [Dianne] has got so much out of me and she deserves [the trophy] so much’ as he went on to gush over her ‘positivity’ and ‘belief’.
He then joked: ‘Unless she changes her number she’s stuck with me. This is for [Dianne] and everyone out there, it just shows that with the opportunity and support anything is possible!’.
Chris gained his first perfect score of 40 points for a waltz to You’ll Never Walk Alone by Gerry and the Pacemakers, which was his final dance of the series and left the judges and viewers in tears.
His second routine was a medley of dance styles to You Get What You Give by New Radicals and he recreated his viral “blackout” moment for the first dance.
Chris and Dianne also danced to their own choice of tune – Instant Karma! (We All Shine On) by John Lennon.
With a dark cloud hanging over it since January when 2023 contestant Amanda Abbington first came forward with her complaints about pro partner Giovanni Pernice, Chris has brought the embattled show’s viewers bundles of joy.
The show was then hit with a fresh wave of scandal when Graziano Di Prima was sacked in July for ‘kicking’ his partner, Love Island star Zara McDermott.
Giovanni was cleared of ten out of Amanda’s 16 allegations when the BBC probe concluded in September but remained absent for the current edition of the series.
