❚ We may earn commission from links on this page. Our editorial is always independent (learn more).

Chris McCausland reveals he was asked to do Strictly before, but was too scared

"You've got to do things haven't you? If there's something that's scary, what is the worst that can happen?"

Chris McCausland and Diane Buswell hugging on Strictly Come Dancing

BBC

Published: Saturday, 9 November 2024 at 8:26 pm

Subscribe to Radio Times – 5 weeks for £2

This week's Strictly Come Dancing saw Chris McCausland and Diane Buswell taking on their Couples Choice routine to Instant Karma! (We All Shine On) by John Lennon, and Chris opened up about his journey thus far in an emotional moment.

Ad

Speaking in the video ahead of his performance, Chris revealed that he was actually asked to appear on the show in multiple previous years, but that he had always been "too scared" to do so.

He said: "You've got to do things haven't you? If there's something that's scary, what is the worst that can happen? I came into this thinking it could be a bit of a disaster. But, there we are. If I'm honest, I'm surprising myself as well as everybody else."

Chris went on to explain that he had been "asked to do Strictly a few times and I said no because I was scared of it, to be honest".

Chris McCausland on Strictly Come Dancing

Chris McCausland on Strictly Come Dancing BBC

"I realised, for me to not do this is quite selfish," he explained, "because I'm lucky enough to get myself to a position where I have the opportunity to represent people.

Read more:

"It's not that people with disabilities need inspiring or they need to see themselves on the telly, but I think everybody else does."

Chris said that he wanted people to realise from his appearance on the show that, for disabled people, "more is possible than you would think".

Want to see this content?

This page contains content provided by Google reCAPTCHA. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as Google reCAPTCHA may use cookies and other technologies. To view this content, choose 'Accept and continue' to allow Google reCAPTCHA and its required purposes.

Accept and continue

Chris and Diane's dance was a big hit with both the studio audience and the judges, who awarded them 33 points, landing them in joint fifth place on the leaderboard, along with Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola.

Craig Revel Horwood told Chris that he really does "not know how you are doing this", while Motsi Mabuse noted that everyone outside of the show is speaking about Chris.

"It's just this message outside of the show that is so much bigger," she said.

Strictly Come Dancing airs Saturdays on BBC One and iPlayer.

Ad

Check out more of our Entertainment coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what else is on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.

Authors

Black and white cut-out portrait headshot of James Hibbs, smiling against a lime green background.

James HibbsDrama Writer

James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.

Ad

Ad

Get the Christmas double issue

Too much to watch at Christmas? Let Radio Times do the choosing to find something the whole family will enjoy.

Subscribe by 3 Dec

Loading...

Ad

Loading...