Liverpool comedian and Strictly Come Dancing winner Chris McCausland has spoken about the profound impact of the show, his West Derby upbringing, and the unexpected reaction from Everton fans to his performance of a classic Liverpool anthem. In a recent interview, McCausland reflected on his journey since becoming the show's first blind contestant to win the Glitterball trophy in 2024.
The 48-year-old has since released a new autobiography, "Keep Laughing," where he discusses his life, career, and the experience of losing his sight to a hereditary condition. He credits his success and resilience to the unique humour and spirit he developed while growing up in Liverpool.
Key Takeaways
- Chris McCausland won the 2024 series of Strictly Come Dancing with partner Dianne Buswell, becoming the first blind contestant to do so.
- His new autobiography, "Keep Laughing," explores his Liverpool roots and his experience with the hereditary eye condition, retinitis pigmentosa.
- McCausland describes his Waltz to "You'll Never Walk Alone" as a high-pressure moment that unexpectedly earned praise from Everton and Manchester United fans.
- He is currently on a national comedy tour titled "Yonks!", with a final Liverpool date scheduled for April 11, 2026, at the Philharmonic Hall.
The Lasting Impact of Strictly Come Dancing
A year after his victory, Chris McCausland describes his time on the BBC dance competition as transformative. He initially joined the 2024 cast with modest expectations, assuming he would serve as the show's comic relief, having never watched an episode before participating.
However, his journey resonated deeply with audiences. "It was the most exhausting, consuming and relentless thing I've ever done in my life," McCausland stated, reflecting on the four-month experience. The emotional and physical demands of the show pushed him to new limits.
"Even though Strictly is just a dance show, it broke me over four months to the point where you're a crying blubbering wreck on the telly," he explained. "When people are along with you on that journey, I really learnt the value of letting people see your vulnerability."
This newfound openness, he says, was a direct result of the show. The public response was overwhelming, with messages from people facing various personal struggles who found inspiration in his and partner Dianne Buswell's performances.
A New Perspective in "Keep Laughing"
The experience on Strictly directly influenced the writing of his autobiography, "Keep Laughing." McCausland admits that before the show, he was a private person who kept his personal life guarded. "Two years ago, I would never have talked about this. I always kept a lid on things," he said.
The book details his upbringing in Liverpool and the gradual loss of his sight in his early 20s due to retinitis pigmentosa, a hereditary condition that also affected his mother and grandmother. He found the process of writing about this period of his life to be cathartic rather than traumatic.
Understanding Retinitis Pigmentosa
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of rare, genetic disorders that involve a breakdown and loss of cells in the retina. Common symptoms include difficulty seeing at night and a loss of peripheral (side) vision. The condition is progressive, meaning symptoms worsen over time, but the rate of change varies between individuals.
McCausland explained that seeing how his family members used humour to cope with the condition provided him with a crucial mechanism for dealing with his own diagnosis. "You've got to laugh at the daftness of it, otherwise it would eat you alive," he shared.
Liverpool Roots and Resilient Humour
McCausland attributes much of his outlook to his upbringing in West Derby. He describes Liverpool as a city that inherently understands how to use comedy to navigate difficult times. "Liverpool is a funny city," he stated. "The political history, with tragedy and poverty. All of that has built a city that is colourful and vibrant, that laughs in the face of adversity."
He also highlighted the role of football in shaping the city's social fabric. "It's a city with two major football teams. You've got Evertonians and Liverpudlians in the same families... and you're all ribbing one another. It's all added to this melting pot that made it... a vibrant and funny place to be."
From Software Engineering to Stand-Up Comedy
His path to becoming one of the UK's most popular comedians was not straightforward. After graduating from Kingston University with a degree in Software Engineering, he struggled to find work and spent two years unemployed. He eventually took a job in a call centre before trying stand-up comedy on a dare.
"Comedy was always a hobby," he recalled. "It gave me the adrenaline and the excitement that had been missing in my day job." Inspired by comedians like Ken Dodd, who was a fixture on his family's television, McCausland found he had a natural talent for relatable comedy and eventually pursued it as a full-time career.
Career on the Rise
Two decades into his comedy career, McCausland is performing to large audiences across the country on his "Yonks!" tour. The tour includes a final hometown show at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall scheduled for April 11, 2026.
The Performance That United Rivals
Despite his extensive career in comedy, McCausland considers winning Strictly his proudest achievement because it was so far outside his comfort zone. One of his most memorable performances was a Waltz to the Liverpool FC anthem, "You'll Never Walk Alone."
He admitted feeling immense pressure to honour the song's significance to the city. "I was terrified... I didn't want to cock it up and I didn't want it to be underwhelming," he said. "The pressure I piled on myself, because we're not just doing a dance to a song. It means so much to the city."
The performance, set against graphics of the Albert Dock, was a success. More surprisingly, it earned praise from fans of Liverpool's biggest rivals.
"I was getting messages from Evertonians and Man Utd fans saying, 'I can't believe you made me cry to You'll Never Walk Alone. I'll never forgive you for this.' They're saying it tongue in cheek, but they're saying they hate the fact they appreciate it and that's the biggest compliment you can get."
While he has hung up his dancing shoes for now, McCausland is focused on his comedy and using his platform to continue changing perceptions. "To be part of something like Strictly when you get to send out a message like that felt like a real privilege," he concluded.