The comedian’s friend highlights nerves as a key challenge in his bid to win, despite strong performances and growing confidence.
As Chris McCausland prepares for the final of Strictly Come Dancing this Saturday, his friend and fellow advocate for the blind community, Sally Rodrigues, has revealed what might be the comedian’s biggest hurdle to winning the competition: his nerves.
Sally, a Bristol-based therapist and national blind sailing champion spoke to BBC Radio Bristol about Chris’s journey on the show, highlighting the significance of his representation of the blind community. She described the bond between Chris and his dance partner, Dianne Buswell, as “special,” noting how their chemistry on the dancefloor is palpable. “They’re very connected, and they have to be to get this level of standard from both of them,” said Sally, emphasizing that their mental and physical connection is key to their success.
Despite Chris’s growing confidence throughout the competition, Sally believes he has yet to fully conquer his nerves. She recalled how he admitted feeling “sick with fear” before his first live dance. Over time, however, his confidence has blossomed, and Sally is hopeful that Chris, along with Dianne, will emerge victorious. “I just have this gut feeling he’s going to win it. He’s seriously delivering and he’s really popular,” she said, her excitement evident.
Chris’s appearance on Strictly marks a historic moment, as this is the first series in which audio-description is available for viewers. The service, which provides voice-over commentary of the action on screen, has allowed Sally and others with visual impairments to fully engage with the programme. “I’ve never watched the programme before because it was only music to me, but now I can 100% take on everything they’re saying and doing,” said Sally.
Chris’s involvement in Strictly follows in the footsteps of Rose Ayling-Ellis, the first deaf contestant to win the competition in 2021. His journey, while challenging, has already made waves for disabled representation on mainstream television. As the final approaches, Chris remains a strong contender, with Sally and many others rooting for him and Dianne to take the crown.
The Strictly Come Dancing final will be broadcast live on BBC One at 18:00 GMT on Saturday, December 14. Viewers can also access the audio description via BBC iPlayer.
