11 hours Ago By [email protected] (Michael Moran)
Standup comedian Chris McCausland has made it to the ninth week of this year's Strictly Come Dancing , despite confessing that he's "winging it" as he's never watched the show before. However, he describes the results shows of Strictly, where a couple is eliminated each week, as "hideous." One elimination that hit Chris particularly hard was that of Wynne Evans, whose Charleston to Georges Bizet's "Les toréadors" marked the end of his and dance partner Katya Jones' Strictly journey.
Over the past few months, Chris has come to consider Wynne a close pal. In an article for the Telegraph, he wrote: " I never ever thought I would be able to count a renowned opera singer as a good friend, but Wynne has become just that." READ MORE: BBC The One Show's Alex Jones branded 'not nice' by guest after brutal comment READ MORE: BBC Strictly star splits from partner during stint on show Chris added that Wynne brought more than just a passion for dancing to the show: "He has entertained and been such a wonderful companion throughout this madness," he says.
Like himself, Chris explains that Wynne threw himself into the competition despite having "zero dance experience" and praised not only Wynne's performances, but his "dignity in saying goodbye", reports Lancs Live . Chris, who is now 47, lost his sight 25 years ago due to a progressive eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa. He explained that, alongside Strictly pro Dianne Buswell creating a completely new teaching method to accommodate him, the footwear required for the show adds to his challenge: "The part of the problem for me is wearing shoes that I'm not used to walking in," he revealed.
"I can't feel the floor through the shoes properly." During an appearance on Channel 4's 'Scared of the Dark', Chris opened up about how his hereditary condition has affected his vision, explaining that he no longer sees details but can distinguish between light and dark. He described having "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.
" Nevertheless, with sheer grit and the skilful guidance from Katy, Chris is fast becoming a favourite contestant on this year's series of Strictly. He is keen not to dwell too much on his blindness, stating: "My attitude has always been to represent by not banging you over the head. I think the best way to represent a disability is to make people forget about it whenever possible.
It's always part of you." Catch Strictly Come Dancing every Saturday on BBC One at 7.05pm and on Sunday at 7.
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