The Strictly Come Dancing judge has been left impressed by the show’s first-ever blind contestant
Craig Revel Horwood admitted he “wasn’t expecting massive things” from Scouse comedian Chris McCausland, who is the first ever blind contestant to appear on Strictly Come Dancing. The 59-year-old judge praised Chris’ surprising skills on the dancefloor saying: “He is incredible. [He is a] fantastic dancer, and I love seeing that because I wasn’t expecting massive things from him. But every week, he seems to improve and really focuses himself, and I think that’s great.”
Since launching on September 14, the show has celebrated its 20th anniversary. And, with partner Dianne Buswell, Chris, 47, has impressed everyone, securing third place on October 19 and scoring 35 points with their Waltz to You’ll Never Walk Alone.
Speaking to RadioTimes.com Craig added: “There are always some fantastic comments from Chris, of course, and they all get on really well, and I’m just pleased about that and loving it. I think they’re a really good, eclectic bunch. I’m really loving the cast. I think they’re a whole bunch of fun,and that’s what I look forward to every week.”
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Chris, who lost his sight aged 22 due to retinitis pigmentosa, said in an interview he’d been “resistant” to joining Strictly and admitted saying “no a few times” – including turning down last year’s series and the Christmas special. Chris said: “One reason was for self-preservation. I didn’t think I could do it because I literally couldn’t see what’s expected of me. And because I don’t watch it, I don’t have an attachment to the format. But I’d rather do something I had no knowledge of than make a show I knew everything about. I’m good at making comedy out of failure, but I’m going to take this seriously.”
