1 week Ago By [email protected] (Nicola Methven, Jessica Sansome)
Chris McCausland left Strictly Come Dancing viewers in tears with his latest performance in the ballroom before subsequently leaving them in stitches with his quick response to Craig Revel Horwood's criticism. It is why he's already cemented himself as a favourite in this year's BBC One dance contest and he's already been tipped to lift the coveted glitterball trophy with dance partner Dianne Buswell. But his soaraway success is reported to be causing BBC bosses a headache - because he can't do the live UK tour.
Next year, some of the stars of Strictly 2024 will be hitting the road with shows across the UK alongside all four show judges for the first time. READ MORE: BBC Strictly Come Dancing fans work out show 'curse' after JB Gill and Amy Dowden dance-off 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 huge arena show, reports the Mirror.
But his absence would prove a blow for fans because dad-of-one Chris, who is Strictly's first blind contestant, 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." Chris and Dianne during their latest performance in the ballroom (Image: PA) It comes as Ladbrokes have said that the title was the Scouse comedian's to lose. Chris, 47, is currently positioned as the firm 4/9 favourite with former Love Island star Tasha Ghouri next in line with odds of 4/1, followed by actress Sarah Hadland at 10/1 and actor 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." On Saturday Chris 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 47-year-old 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." 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." A spokesman for the tour told the Mirror: "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 ..
