Big Fat Quiz of the Year viewers have hit out at the ‘uncomfortable’ format as they claimed Channel 4 failed to make the show accessible for Chris McCausland.
The blind comedian, 47, who has just won Strictly Come Dancing, appeared as a panellist on the annual quiz show but some fans were left disappointed.
The quiz show is hosted by Jimmy Carr and celebrities competed in pairs to test their knowledge in the year’s biggest news, sport and pop culture moments.
However, viewers who tuned in to the programme have claimed Chris was put at a disadvantage compared to the other contestants.
Chris was paired with Maisie Adam and they were competing against Richard Ayoade, Katherine Ryan, Rob Beckett, and Judi Love.
During the episode, several questions required the contestants to look at pictures and videos to answer the questions.
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The blind comedian, 47, who has just won Strictly Come Dancing, appeared as a panellist on the annual quiz show but some fans were left disappointed
The images had to be described to Chris by his teammate Maisie, which viewers felt put him at an unfair disadvantage in the competition.
At one point, host Jimmy even remarked on how unjust the picture round was, saying: ‘We are about to have what I can only describe as a very insensitive round Chris…it’s time for Say What You See.’
Rob Beckett quipped: ‘Just write nothing and you’ll get points.’
But despite not being able to see the visual cues, Chris was the first celebrity guest to guess the picture round correctly, with his teammate Maisie being ‘his eyes’ for the round.
Despite being unable to see the visual cues, Chris was the first contestant to guess the picture round correctly after Maisie described the image to him.
While Chris did not seem to mind the disadvantage, viewers bemoaned the lack of inclusivity and shared their thoughts on X.
They said: ‘The further into the Big Fat Quiz of the Year it gets the more glaringly obvious it is that there have been zero adaptations for Chris and it’s just getting more and more uncomfortable’;
‘Big Fat Quiz of the Year showing itself up by invi. ing Chris McCausland on as a panellist then not giving him a proper audio description or adjusting the quiz itself to be inclusive… clearly showing the difference between diversity and inclusion at least’;
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The quiz show is hosted by Jimmy Carr and celebrities competed in pairs to test their knowledge in the year’s biggest news, sport and pop culture moments
While Chris did not seem to mind the disadvantage, viewers bemoaned the lack of inclusivity and shared their thoughts on X
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View gallery
Chris and his pro dance partner Dianne Buswell were crowned 2024 Strictly champs
‘Anyone else watching Big Fat Quiz and wondering why it’s so inaccessible for Chris? They could’ve made very minor changes to the format (like less picture questions) and it wouldn’t even be noticeable – it’s more noticeable that he’s struggling to take part tbh’;
‘Chris is demonstrating how isolating it can be when you are a disabled person in a group of not yet disabled people. Like being hearing impaired in a large group, he’s getting somewhat left out because he can’t see the visual cues.’
‘I really think they should have provided Chris with audio description as he’s really demonstrating how isolating it can be for a visually impaired/blind person without aids to help him. Actually feel really sorry for him!’
‘Quite uncomfortable with how little Big Fat Quiz has been adapted for Chris’; ‘Big Fat Quiz of the year mystery guest round, Chris McCausland says “nodding your head doesn’t really help me”, only for Jimmy to wave it off by saying “but it helps everyone else”. No point having someone who disabilities on a show if you don’t make it fully accessible.’
‘Channel 4 really f***ed up with what seems to be a total lack of making this accessible for Chris. Why invite a disabled panellist if you’re not going to make any necessary adaptations to the format?’
Channel 4 told MailOnline: ‘The production team consulted Chris McCausland in the weeks ahead of recording to confirm which adjustments he would find helpful for ‘The Big Fat Quiz’ and we are happy that Chris’s preferences were respected.’
Chris and his partner Maisie came last in the quiz, which was won by Rob and Judie with a score of 45, followed by Richard and Katherine with 41, and Maisie and Chris with 40.
