Chris and Dianne got their highest score of the series for their waltz, ending up third on the leaderboard with 35 points (Image: PA)

The comedian’s on course to become the first winner in the show’s history not to take part in the live UK tour in 2025

Strictly Come Dancing’s Chris McCausland has cemented his position as the favourite to lift the glitterball trophy – but his soaraway success is causing BBC bosses a headache, because he can’t do the live UK tour.

A clash with his own stand-up dates means that if Chris does triumph in the 2024 series – and the bookies currently have him as the 9/4 favourite – he would be the first winner in the show’s history not to take his dancing shoes on the road afterwards. The problem lies with the comedian’s show, Yonks, which has dates throughout January and February that clash directly with Strictly’s live theatre show.

But his absence would prove a blow for fans because dad-of-one Chris, who has been blind since his 20s, has proven to be the stand-out star of the series. It also calls into question Craig Revel Horwood’s assurance that the BBC Studios-backed tour, which charges between £35 and £100 per ticket, will allow fans to see “their favourite celebrities and dancers up close and personal.”

One source said: “Craig has suggested that all this year’s favourites will be there but that’s not true. How can Chris be in two places at once? As things stand, Chris can’t do it because every show on his comedy tour from January 17 clashes.”

This morning Ladbrokes said that the title was the Scouse comedian’s to lose. Chris, 47, is currently positioned as the firm 4/9 favourite with Tasha Ghouri next in line with odds of 4/1, followed by Sarah Hadland at 10/1 and Jamie Borthwick at 16/1. A spokeswoman said: “Chris McCausland seems to be running away with the competition this year after he extended his lead at the head of the Strictly betting. Tasha is his main rival as things stand, but punters only see one winner.”

Their success with last night’s waltz came a week after they got a standing ovation for their salsa to Men at Work’s Down Under ( Image: PA)
On Saturday Chris, partnered with Aussie pro Dianne Buswell, wowed viewers and judges with his emotional waltz to Liverpool FC’s anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone, clinching 35 points, his best score yet. The dad-of-one, 47, finished third on the leaderboard and left many viewers in tears as he performed a solo walk through the ballroom before being dramatically scooped up by Dianne for the song’s climax.

Afterwards the judges lavished praise on his “flow” around the floor with tearful Shirley Ballas telling him: “Your footwork was spectacular.” Anton du Beke agreed, declaring: “I had a moment where I welled up’. And Motsi Mabuse gushed: “It transcended technique, I felt every emotion.”

In a statement last month confirming the return of the Strictly live event for 2025, hosted once again by It Takes Two’s Janette Manrara, Craig declared: “Strictly fans are in for a huge treat on the live tour – it’s going to be bigger and better than ever before. Audiences will be able to enjoy all of the glitz and glamour of the TV show and see their favourite celebrities and dancers up-close and personal. And with Motsi joining us for the first time, it’s going to be even more FAB-U-LOUS!”

The Strictly Live Tour claims to capture “all the joy” of the TV series while also promising to give audiences “the chance to experience everything they love about the TV show live on stage.” It first launched in January 2009 with 2008 winner Tom Chambers among the line-up, and every winner since has taken part.

The only one to miss out was Bill Bailey because the 2021 tour was cancelled due to the pandemic. Those to have participated in recent years include Ellie Leach, Hamza Yassin, Rose Ayling-Ellis, Kelvin Fletcher, Stacey Dooley and Joe McFadden. Prior to them came Ore Oduba, Jay McGuinness, Caroline Flack, Abbey Clancy, Louis Smith, Harry Judd, Kara Tointon and Chris Hollins.

Last night a spokesman for the tour said: “Casting for the Strictly Live Tour 2025 is still being decided.” He added that an official announcement about the celebs and pro dancers taking part next year will be made before Christmas.