Chris McCausland says he’s ‘feeling worn down’ by Strictly after winning show
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‘Physically and mentally it takes its toll,’ the comedian said. Chris McCausland has opened up about his wellbeing following the Strictly Come Dancing final. The comedian, 47, best known for appearing on Have I Got News For You, and his professional partner Dianne Buswell were crowned the winners of the BBC dance competition on Saturday night (14 November).
![[Dianne Buswell and Chris McCausland win ‘Strictly Come Dancing’]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/12/15/20/8ed5f5bbe5490e43baf341a69ee8bc2aY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzM0Mzc3Mjcy-2.78486786.jpg)
McCausland, who lost his sight aged 22 due to a hereditary condition called retinitis pigmentosa, made Strictly history as the first blind contestant to win – and take part in – the competition. Speaking on Lorraine in his first TV interview since the Strictly final, McCausland admitted taking part in the programme had impacted his mental and physical health.
![[Buswell and McCausland on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/12/15/13/2438ebbe7a7c8358c2140fd9abeb59fcY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzM0MzQ5Mjcz-2.78486511.jpg)
“It’s been a really emotional Saturday night and I’m still kind of feeling worn down by it,” he said. “Three and a half months [rehearsing] is relentless, it’s consuming,” McCausland continued. “Physically and mentally it takes its toll.”.
![[McCausland and Buswell became emotional after their win]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/12/14/20/Screenshot-2024-12-14-at-20.39.25.jpg)
Elsewhere in the interview, the comedian revealed he wouldn’t be taking part in the forthcoming Strictly Come Dancing tour due to conflicting professional commitments. “I started the [comedy] tour in January this year and I did the first leg till May and then I was meant to be back out again in September but we moved the dates to accommodate Strictly,” he explained.
“It just wasn’t really a consideration at the time as I don’t think anyone thought I would be any good at it,” McCausland added. “I didn’t think I would be going off the back of Strictly on tour. I thought I would be going off the back of two months off.”.
