Comic Chris McCausland has change into the primary blind contestant to win Strictly Come Dancing.
The 47-year-old, who lifted the glitterball trophy with dance associate Dianne Buswell on Saturday evening, mentioned “anything can happen” with assist and dedication.
They beat Miranda actress Sarah Hadland, Love Island star Tasha Ghouri and JLS singer JB Gill.
Talking after his win, McCausland mentioned: “This is for [Dianne] and it’s for everyone out there that thought and got told they couldn’t do something.
“It simply reveals with alternative and assist and dedication, something can occur.”
He thanked Buswell, saying: “She deserves this so much. She’s just honestly one of the easiest people to be funny with – and unless she changes her number, she’s stuck with me.”
Liverpool-born McCausland – who’s registered blind – misplaced his sight fully by the age of twenty-two as a result of retinitis pigmentosa – a hereditary eye illness which causes gradual degeneration of the retina.
Calling his triumph “astonishing,” he mentioned: “I honestly thought I could go out in the first week or two, and I know no one went out in the first week, but I still thought I could”.
Actress Rose Ayling-Ellis grew to become the primary deaf contestant to win the present in 2021.
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Pic: PA
Incapacity charity Sense and the Royal Nationwide Institute of Blind Folks (RNIB) praised McCausland’s success, and for elevating the profiles of individuals dwelling with disabilities.
Steven Morris, who’s deafblind and the campaigns officer for the incapacity charity Sense, mentioned the win reveals folks “can break down barriers many wrongly don’t think are possible”, and mentioned it will “lead to many more disabled people being included in the biggest TV shows”.
Debbie Miller, director of buyer recommendation and assist at RNIB, mentioned each McCausland and the second deaf contestant Ghouri “left an immeasurable positive impact”, which has “sparked so many positive conversations”, and highlighted “the importance of diversity”.
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Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice lifted the Strictly glitterball in 2021. File pic: PA
Kerry Bevan, head of abilities, data and assist at sight-loss charity Information Canines UK, referred to as it a “personal triumph, but also a landmark moment for everyone in the visually impaired community”.
Alison Kerry, head of communications at incapacity equality charity Scope, mentioned the “impact of Strictly in breaking down barriers can’t be underestimated”.
She additionally mentioned: “Thanks to Chris’s winning performance, perceptions will be challenged, and more people will be having conversations about the importance of disability inclusion and accessibility.”
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Pic: PA
It was the primary win for Buswell, who has made the ultimate twice earlier than.
‘Blackout moments’ and an ideal rating
After months of dancing, McCausland was praised for his three routines – which included the couple’s favorite dance, their ultimate present dance and the routine most loved by the judges.
McCausland was given his first excellent rating of 40 factors for a waltz routine to You will By no means Stroll Alone by Gerry and the Pacemakers, his ultimate dance of the collection.
His second routine featured completely different dance types to You Get What You Give by New Radicals, and he additionally recreated his viral “blackout moment” for the primary dance.
Within the couple’s selection routine to Prompt Karma! (We All Shine On) by John Lennon, McCausland positioned his arms over Buswell’s eyes because the room light to black, earlier than the ballroom went fully darkish after which the sunshine got here again on – with pyrotechnics flaring within the background.
It has been a troublesome 12 months for Strictly, following an investigation into allegations of abusive behaviour and bolstered measures to “strengthen welfare and support” on the present.
He is additionally hosted his personal self-titled present on ITV1 on Saturday mornings, and appeared as an actor in EastEnders, Not Going Out, and CBeebies present Me Too!
