OVERWHELMED Strictly star Chris McCausland has admitted training ‘nearly killed me’ while hitting back at trolls for labelling him the ‘sympathy vote.
Chris, 47, who is blind due to retinitis pigmentosa, candidly revealed the gruelling nature of rehearsals for the BBC show, admitting that it pushed him to his limits.
The comedian detailed the challenges of mastering complex dance routines, particularly the demanding cha-cha-cha, which he described as nearly “killing” him.
Despite the physical and mental strain, he remains determined to defy expectations and prove that disability is no barrier.
He told The Times: “Going straight into the cha-cha-cha on week one nearly killed me. A lot of the rehearsal time is me lying on the floor trying to plaster a smile on my face and saying, ‘Just give me five minutes.’
“I’m all for a challenge, I’m all for doing something out of my comfort zone, but I don’t want to be the ‘fun guy’.
“Because if I come on the air and because of my blindness I fail, that’s no good for anyone. The whole point of being here is to surprise people, to represent people and maybe expose people to somebody they might think would be incapable of doing these things.”
Chris openly expressed his frustration with the “sympathy vote” label, emphasizing his desire to be judged on his own merits as a dancer.
He explained: “If you’ve got a disability you have to show so much perseverance and creativity and problem-solving just day to day. There are so many people out there capable of way more than the opportunities they are given. For me it’s about representing that community.
“I hugely put myself out of my comfort zone to do something that I didn’t know I’d be able to do. And so if that inspires people to have a go at something then I’m good with that.”
Last week, Chris admitted that he ‘walked out’ on his dance partner Dianne Buswell during training.
They took to Instagram to share their latest episode of CHRIS DIAnneRIES – where they upload of video of themselves talking about how training has gone with fans.
Dianne revealed that at one point this week they went through their dance 22 times to make sure that they got it right.
But it appears that got too much for Chris – and at one point he had to walk away to get some “space”.
Chris said in the video: “So this is what happens…
“The Samba is very energetic and I have to have a little lie down just to catch my breathe back, just to recover, and she just talks at me constantly while I’m trying to take my brain off the dancing for a minute, have a little bit of me time.
“At one point, I had to walk away from you and you said: ‘Chris, you’re going the wrong direction’.
“I said: ‘No, I need some space. I just need some distance between my face and your voice’.”
Fans found what he said absolutely hilarious.
One wrote in the comments section: “‘I need some space between my face and your voice’,” with a laughing emoji.
A second said: “Love Chris’ honesty in these videos he does with Dianne. Heartwarming and so funny.”
Another added: “A great indicator that 2 people have hit it off is when they can laugh together about the times they irritate each other.”
“Love you guys, my favourites to win, always look forward to watching you both on a Saturday x,” a fourth chimed in.
And, the week before, Chris and Dianne danced the Waltz to Liverpool’s anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone.
They were awarded 35 points out of 40 by judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke.
After the dance, Chris asked Dianne if he did ok – to which she replied: “I’m so proud of you!”
The following day their close bond was revealed as they share sweet moment in some exclusive pictures.
Snapped in a corner of the Strictly studios in Elstree, Chris can be seen kissing Dianne’s hand, as they moved through some of the motions of their dance.
In another image Dianne is seen helping Chris tie the laces of his shoes, clearly capturing their true and genuine friendship.
RETINITIS pigmentosa (RP) is a rare genetic disorder that causes progressive degeneration of the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.
This condition primarily affects the photoreceptor cells, which are essential for vision.
Common symptoms of RP include night blindness, tunnel vision, and eventual loss of peripheral vision, with some cases also affecting central vision.
RP is usually inherited, passed down through families, and is caused by mutations in various genes.
Diagnosis typically involves eye examinations, genetic testing, and visual field tests.
While there is currently no cure for RP, some treatments may help manage symptoms, such as vitamin A supplementation and low-vision aids.
Ongoing research into gene therapy and retinal implants offers hope for future advancements.
Living with RP presents challenges, but many people adapt by using assistive devices and developing coping strategies.
Support from organisations and communities plays a vital role in enhancing quality of life for those affected.
