STRICTLY’S Chris McCausland joked that the BBC couldn’t afford to insure him and mocked their diversity drive TWO years before signing up to the show.
Earlier today the comedian, 47, was the second celebrity to be officially announced for the dance competition.
During a stint on BBC‘s Blankety Blank in 2022, Chris actually jokingly told Shirley Ballas that he was going for her job as head job.
Host Bradley Walsh told viewers that every single person on the panel had been on Strictly in “one form or another”.
Chris was joined by HRVY, Gabby Logan, Chris Kamra, Michelle Visage and Shirley.
As the celebrities opened up about their time on the show, Shirley pointed out that Chris hadn’t appeared in the competition.
Chris, who lost his eye sight when he was 22, joked: “I’m not sure that they could afford the insurance mate.
“I’d probably take out three cameras doing the jibe!”
He added: “You know, there is a bit of a diversity push at the BBC these days isn’t there?
“I could end up as a judge, Shirley.
“You better watch out for your job.
“I’m coming for it!”
Chris confirmed his stint on the upcoming series on This Morning today.
Chris told the hosts: “This is literally the worst kept secret that has ever been in British television.
“It’s been exhausting keeping it a secret when everyone else seems to know.”
Craig said: “The day you come on here and it’s revealed means there is no going back.
“Is there a sense of relief that you’ve just come out to the public? Some of that stress has gone and everyone knows what you are going to be doing for the next three/four months.”
Chris replied: “I kept it a secret for so long and then it was in the papers, at least I can admit it rather than going ‘I don’t know what you’re on about’.”
Chris is blind due to retinitis pigmentosa – a condition that impairs vision in low-light condition.
Speaking about when he lost his sight in his early 20s, he said: “When it started happening, it was scary and embarrassing.
“I found myself in difficult situations because I was reluctant to ask for help.
“I knew I would never be on a level playing field with everyone else.
“My eyesight deteriorated significantly while I was at university, and the technology available at that time wasn’t advanced enough, so I had to abandon my career path in web development.”
Team GB star Tom Dean let slip he was the first Strictly contestant hours after winning Olympic gold, as he confirmed The Sun’s story over the weekend.
We also reported that Sam Quek has also signed up for the show, as well as deaf Love Island star Tasha Ghouri, 25, have also signed for Strictly.
Others include Arsenal and England footballer Paul Merson, 56, blind comedian Chris McCausland, 47, EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick, 30, reality TV star Pete Wicks, 37, and DIY SOS host Nick Knowles, 61.
Who is confirmed to take part in the upcoming series of Strictly?
Jamie Borthwick – The EastEnders star was the first upcoming competitor to be revealed to be on the show by The Sun. He previously won the Christmas special of Strictly Come Dancing in 2023. The actor was given a perfect score of 40 by the judges after dancing the Quickstep with Nancy Xu.
Nick Knowles – The TV presenter is understood to have signed up to the show after months of talks with bosses. He previously teamed up with some of the dance show’s pros, including Katya Jones and Luba Mushtuk for DIY SOS.
Pete Wicks – The former Towie personality is is the best friend of former competitor Zara McDermott’s boyfriend Sam Thompson. It’s his first break into Primetime television after he appeared on shows such as Celebs Go Dating, Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins and The Real Full Monty – where he stripped naked for charity.
Paul Merson – The Sky pundit and former Arsenal legend is set to swap the sports studio for the BBC dancefloor. He previously overcome drink, drug and gambling addictions.
Chris McCausland – In a first for the show, Strictly has signed up the blind comedian. The 46-year-old CBeebies actor lost his sight aged 22 due to a hereditary condition. This was after the hit competition featured deaf EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis in 2021.
Tom Dean – A day after The Sun revealed the 24-year-old would take to the dancefloor, the Olympian made his own announcement. He was part of the British relay team which won Gold at the 4x200m men’s freestyle event. After accepting his medal, he will hotfoot it back to the UK for rehearsals.
Tasha Ghouri – The former reality TV star shot to fame on Love Island in 2022, but she has years of dance experience. She has a First Class Honours degree in Dance Performance, appeared in various music videos and took part in one of Europe’s biggest dance competitions, Move It.
