Strictly champ Chris McCausland to deliver groundbreaking Christmas Day speech


Chris McCausland will be back on TV screens on Christmas Day (Picture: PA Wire)

Following his historic Strictly Come Dancing win last week, Chris McCausland has now had another honour bestowed upon him.

On Christmas Day, the comedian will address the nation in Channel 4’s alternative festive message, with the likes of Stephen Fry and Tom Daley taking on the role in previous years.

Chris, 47, who was Strictly’s first-ever blind contestant, is set to call for an end to discrimination against disabled people during his speech.

The broadcaster has confirmed that Chris, who lifted the Glitterball Trophy with Dianne Buswell, will describe disabled people as ‘often some of the most resilient, creative, and determined people you will ever likely meet’.

He will begin his speech by apologising to viewers for stuffing his face with mince pies before using the Christmassy snack as a metaphor for ‘equality’.

Chris will say: ‘I don’t care if they’re the posh ones or the cheap ones; I don’t care if they’re the big ones or those tiny little dinky ones, whether it’s got a solid top or a lattice crown.

For use in UK, Ireland or Benelux countries only BBC handout photo of Dianne Buswell and Chris McCausland, during their appearance on the live show of Saturday's Strictly Come Dancing show on BBC1. Comedian Chris McCausland has become the first blind winner of Strictly Come Dancing. The BBC One dancing show saw McCausland and partner Dianne Buswell lift the glitterball trophy on Saturday following a public vote as the series celebrated 20 years on screen this year. Picture date: Saturday December 14, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story SHOWBIZ Strictly. Photo credit should read: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: Not for use more than 21 days after issue. You may use this picture without charge only for the purpose of publicising or reporting on current BBC programming, personnel or other BBC output or activity within 21 days of issue. Any use after that time MUST be cleared through BBC Picture Publicity. Please credit the image to the BBC and any named photographer or independent programme maker, as described in the caption.
The comedian lifted the Strictly trophy with Dianne Buswell one week ago (Picture: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire)

‘I will never discriminate against any sort of mince pie.

‘All of them are equal to me and will no doubt meet the same undignified end as I try and fit it all in my mouth in one go.’

Chris will declare: ‘Discrimination is never a good thing.’

The Liverpudlian star will then crack a joke about how ‘sometimes’ discrimination can be positive as, ‘many, many years ago’ he ‘applied to be a spy for MI5.’

‘I got down to the last 30 out of 3,000 applicants, the top 1% of potential spies that this country had to offer before they decided no, a blind spy wasn’t what they were looking for, but, you know, I think they had a point.’

Chris quips: ‘I think sometimes discrimination can be vital for the safety of the nation, but usually, we can do better.’

The stand-up star lost his sight in his early twenties due to a hereditary condition called retinitis pigmentosa.

Editorial use only Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock (15006929m) Chris McCausland 'Lorraine' TV show, London, UK - 16 Dec 2024
Chris will call for an end to discrimination against disabled people in his Christmas speech (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)

He now repeatedly uses his blindness to inspire material in his comedy routines and repeatedly whipped out self-deprecating jokes while on Strictly, much to the amusement of viewers.

This year’s grand final had millions in tears as Chris and Dianne performed three incredible routines, including a gorgeous waltz to Liverpool anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone, which earned them a perfect score of 40.

After lifting the trophy, Chris was asked what winning meant to him, replying: ‘It’s astonishing. I don’t know what to say.’

‘I honestly thought I could go out in the first week or two. I know nobody went out on week one, but I thought I could,’ he joked.

Turning to Australian pro Dianne, Chris continued: ‘She’s got so much out of me. She deserves this so much. She’s positive, and she’s one of the easiest people to be funny with.

‘Unless she changes her number, she’s stuck with me.

‘This is for her and for everyone who was told they couldn’t do something. With opportunity, support, and determination, anything can happen.’

For use in UK, Ireland or Benelux countries only BBC handout photo of Dianne Buswell and Chris McCausland, during their appearance on the live show of Saturday's Strictly Come Dancing show on BBC1. Picture date: Saturday December 14, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story SHOWBIZ Strictly. Photo credit should read: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: Not for use more than 21 days after issue. You may use this picture without charge only for the purpose of publicising or reporting on current BBC programming, personnel or other BBC output or activity within 21 days of issue. Any use after that time MUST be cleared through BBC Picture Publicity. Please credit the image to the BBC and any named photographer or independent programme maker, as described in the caption.
The star made history as Strictly’s first-ever blind contestant (Picture: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire)
Editorial use only Mandatory Credit: Photo by ITV/Matt Frost/REX/Shutterstock (12637555e) Comedian Chris McCausland performing on stage at the Royal Albert Hall 'The Royal Variety Performance' TV Show, UK - 19 Dec 2021 The Royal Variety Performance 2021, is a British ITV entertainment programme, hosted this year by comedian and presenter Alan Carr, from the world-famous Royal Albert Hall, in the presence of their Royal Highnesses, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The star-studded extravaganza, in aid of the Royal Variety Charity, includes special performances from Ed Sheeran, Sir Rod Stewart, Elvis Costello, Anne-Marie, Years & Years, US jazz singer Gregory Porter and musician James Blunt. Show-stopping moments by the cast of Moulin Rouge the Musical and Matilda the Musical who celebrate ten years in the West End. Stand-up comedy from Bill Bailey, Josh Widdicombe, Judi Love and Chris McCausland. Keala Settle joins to perform the anthemic 'This Is Me', as well as soprano Carly Paoli and singer Jane McDonald, for a special duet. Finally Cirque Du Soleil and hand balancing act The Messoudi Brothers, also perform.
He’ll hit the road in his own mammoth stand-up tour next year (Picture: ITV/Matt Frost/REX/Shutterstock)

The world is now Chris’s oyster, as it’s been predicted that he could boost his net worth by a staggering £5,000,000 in the years to come.

A PR expert explained to Metro that ‘this is just the start’ for Chris, with plenty of major TV opportunities sure to come his way.

Alas, for fans hoping to watch him on the Strictly 2025 Live Tour, we have some bad news, as, despite being the series winner, Chris’s own mammoth tour, comprising over 200 dates, cannot be rescheduled.

Addressing followers’ questions, he recently wrote on X: ‘My own tour was meant to be on the road in September and a lot of dates were moved to Jan and Feb to accommodate doing #Strictly.

‘It’s unfortunate as it’s been so much fun, but my own dates can’t be moved for a second time.’

Strictly lovers are still in for a treat, though, as fellow finalists Tasha Ghouri, Sarah Hadland, and JB Gill will be accompanied by their professional partners for the country-wide tour.

Watch Channel 4’s Alternative Christmas Message at 4:50pm on Christmas Day.

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