Strictly Favorite Chris McCausland Shares His Journey with the Eye Condition That Left Him Blind at 22

In a spectacular twist of fate that feels like the universe decided to sprinkle a little magic on a Saturday night, *Strictly Come Dancing* has welcomed its first blind contestant, the delightful Chris McCausland. This 47-year-old comedian, who’s more familiar to us from *Have I Got News For You* and *QI*, has charmed his way into the hearts of judges and viewers alike—not to mention the coveted Glitterball trophy, which now feels almost within his grasp.

Imagine, if you will, a cha-cha to the irresistible *Twist and Shout* by The Beatles, performed with Dianne Buswell as his partner. It’s not just a dance; it’s a joyful explosion of life, making one forget that Chris has been navigating a world draped in darkness since the tender age of 22, courtesy of a hereditary condition known as retinitis pigmentosa. This condition is a sneaky little villain, slowly stealing the gift of sight, leaving one wondering if they’re just losing their way in a fog or if it’s something more sinister.

Chris himself described the experience with a humorous twist: "Basically, I’d been going blind very slowly since I was born, and so didn’t even really notice it happening. Like the frog in the pan of boiling water.” Sometimes, I think we all can relate to being that frog—blissfully unaware until it’s too late.

But hold on, because the journey doesn’t end in darkness. There’s the matter of sound, which allegedly sharpens when vision fades. Chris offers a candid eye-opener (pun intended): "They say that when you lose your sight, your hearing gets better. It doesn’t. But you do pay more attention to it." What does this mean in practical terms? Picture him sweltering under the sun at a beach resort, tormented by an acute awareness of just how hot it is, sans the distraction of sight. Isn’t that just the cherry on top of life’s cake of irony?

And let’s not forget Diane, his dance partner, who initially approached the daunting task of teaching Chris the intricate routines with a head full of doubt. "I didn’t have a clue," she confessed, though it seems the duo has figured out the puzzle beautifully, captivating audiences with their electrifying performances. Coaching and companionship in the dance world often rely on unspoken cues and physical guidance—a dance expert, Rashmi Becker, underscored this when she discussed how Chris picks up the cues from Dianne, gliding gracefully across the dance floor as he memorizes the layout.

Chris McCausland isn’t just dancing; he’s rewriting the rules of the game, encouraging us all to look beyond what we see and embrace the rhythm of life, however tricky that rhythm may be. As he dazzles on stage, perhaps we should take a page from his book, or, at the very least, dance our hearts out—blindly, if need be!