Strictly Come Dancing reveals its 2024 lineup as blind comedian Chris McCausland is first celebrity contestant confirmed
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Strictly Come Dancing has confirmed its first celebrity for the 2024 series.
Blind comedian Chris McCausland appeared on This Morning to share his excitement about joining the BBC show.
The signing is a first for the dance competition, which previously saw deaf EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis take part, who won the glitter ball trophy in 2021 together with Giovanni Pearce.
Comedian and CBeebies actor Chris, 46, lost his sight at the age of 22 due to a hereditary condition, Retinitis Pigmentosa.
Strictly Come Dancing has confirmed its first celebrity for the 2024 series. Blind comedian Chris McCausland appeared on This Morning to express his excitement about appearing on the BBC show
Chris has been a comedian for over twenty years and is a regular guest on well-known comedy shows such as Have I Got News for You, Would I Lie to You?, QI, The Last Leg and 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown.
He has appeared on Live at the Apollo three times and hosted the programme in 2021. That same year, he also made his acclaimed debut at The Royal Variety Performance.
Chris currently presents his own Saturday morning chat show for ITV, The Chris McCausland Show. He also co-wrote and stars in Bad Tidings, a festive family comedy premiering on Sky this Christmas.
The comedian said of his next project: ‘If there’s anyone out there who’s thinking, how on earth is he going to do that? – I’m sure I’m thinking exactly the same thing.
‘I don’t dance, I haven’t danced, I can’t dance, I don’t see the dancing I should be doing. What could possibly go wrong? Okay, don’t answer that question…!’
The Liverpool-born star has a daughter, Sophie, with his wife Patricia.
Strictly has been in chaos in recent weeks after a number of allegations of abuse by professionals came to light.
The scandal broke out when actress Amanda Abbington left the show last year, alleging that her partner Giovanni Pernice abused her and later left the show.
Strictly has been thrown into chaos in recent weeks as a series of allegations of abuse by professionals have emerged. Graziano Di Prima has been sacked for ‘kicking’ his 2023 partner Zara McDermott
Actress Amanda Abbington complained that professional dancer Giovanni Pernice bullied her during their rehearsals last year – allegations he strongly denies
Shortly afterwards it was revealed that Graziano Di Prima had been sacked for ‘kicking’ his partner, Love Island star Zara McDermott.
Last week, Laura Whitmore accused BBC bosses of “manipulating” her over her Strictly experience with Giovanni.
The 39-year-old TV presenter, who partnered the 33-year-old Italian dancer on the show in 2016, recently confirmed she had spoken to the show about Giovanni’s “inappropriate behaviour”, after claiming she raised her concerns with the BBC six years ago.
And in a dramatic new statement, the star has shed more light on her experiences on Strictly, saying it’s ‘all coming out now’ amid the flood of allegations against the show and its professional dancers.
Despite all the accusations, Strictly is going ahead with the 2024 series, with the full line-up to be announced in the coming days.
Earlier this month it was announced that TOWIE star Pete Wicks has signed a contract, despite news that his close friend Zara McDermott was physically and verbally abused by her professional dance partner Graziano Di Prima last year.
Meanwhile, former Arsenal player Paul Merson and DIY SOS star Nick Knowles are also said to have put on their dancing shoes.