Strictly 'signs up first blind celebrity' as comedian Chris McCausland takes on BBC show

Liverpool-born comic Chris McCausland's hereditary condition retinitis pigmentosa caused him to lose his sight completely at 22 years old

Chris McCausland is up for the challenge of learning how to dance (

Image: Ash Knotek/REX/Shutterstock)

BBC bosses have signed up comedian Chris McCausland for this year's series - who will become the show's very first blind contestant, it has been reported.

The signing comes three years after EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis - who is deaf - danced her way to victory in 2021 with pro dancer Giovanni Pernice.

Bosses are said to be "delighted" by the signing as he has a great sense of humour and an "infectious" personality. Producers are believed to be "really keen to showcase disability on TV and are conscious of how important it is".

The Liverpool-born comic's hereditary condition retinitis pigmentosa caused him to lose his sight completely at 22 years old. He has spoken before about how gradually losing his sight was "scary and embarrassing".

Chris, who has 10-year-old daughter Sophie with wife Patricia, said previously: "I got myself into bad situations because I didn’t want to ask for help. I will never be on a level playing field with everyone else.”

BBC bosses have reportedly signed up comedian Chris McCausland for this year's series (

Image:

Tristan Fewings/Getty Images) EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis - who is deaf - danced her way to victory in 2021 (

Image:

PA)

A source told The Sun: “He’s been gigging non-stop for decades so is a real pro at performing in front of crowds. He is up for the challenge of learning how to dance and is prepared to put in hard work and long hours in training. He’s also hoping to have a lot of fun and raise his profile, like a lot of celebs taking part on Strictly."

They added that all the pro dancers will want to be partnered with him and embrace a show first.

Chris isn't a stranger to reality TV and show challenges. In 2023 he appeared on Channel 4's Scared of the Dark alongside the likes of Scarlett Moffatt and Paul Gascoigne.

“I’m blind but I don’t see black," he said on the show. "I still see light and space, I still have an awareness of the space around me, not in terms of objects and things, but in terms of the room and whether there might be something in front of me.

Bosses are said to be 'delighted' by Chris' signing as he has a great sense of humour and an 'infectious' personality (

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Channel 4)

"It just gives you that awareness that you’re taking that away from me. I’m a slave to my iPhone like everybody else. So on paper you go, ‘Well, I should nail this,’ but in one area I should be more practically adjusted.”

Prior to becoming a comic and TV personality, Chris became a web developer after studying software engineering at university in London and nearly managed to get a spot in MI5.

“I applied to MI5, and got down to the final 30 out of 3,000 applicants," he said. "They were excited at first, and said that this was new territory for them, but in the end they turned me down purely because of my eyesight. Fair enough, I suppose.”

As well as hosting Radio 4 series You Heard It Here First, he's also presented Channel 4 programme The Wonders of the World I Can’t See, appearing as Rudi the market trader in CBeebies show Me Too! and regularly joins comedy panel shows.

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