‘So proud’: praise for Strictly winners as show regains family TV crown
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Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell lifted trophy in ‘highest-scoring final ever’, watched by more than 8 million. It has been a difficult year for Strictly Come Dancing. Just six months ago, questions were mounting about whether the show should be axed after a string of allegations of bullying during rehearsals, and there were fears controversy would hang over its 22nd season when it launched in September.
![[Jessica Murray]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/uploads/2022/11/08/Jessica_Murray__Next_Gen.png?width=75&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
But as Chris McCausland lifted the glitterball trophy in Saturday night’s final, those fears appeared unfounded. Strong viewing figures and a overwhelmingly positive reaction to this year’s lineup suggest the show has regained its place at the heart of Saturday night family entertainment.
![[McCausland and Buswell lifting the trophy as others hold up their arms and cheer]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/0a7548dba5c67b4ac49a80f07b22512a78ff7b76/0_122_4242_2545/master/4242.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
The 47-year-old Liverpudlian comedian was the show’s first blind contestant, and his humour, determination and warmth in his dancing style captured viewers’ hearts from the start of the season. Alongside his professional dance partner, Dianne Buswell, McCausland regularly topped the public vote, if not the judge’s scoreboard, in what was seen as an incredibly competitive season – Claudia Winkleman said it was “the highest-scoring Strictly final ever”.
![[McCausland and Buswell dancing during the dress rehearsal for Saturday’s final]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/f41485ec622ae5d34123beaa33af6b0ff5b27133/0_38_4376_2625/master/4376.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
McCausland lost his sight completely in his early 20s due to retinitis pigmentosa, a hereditary eye disease that causes gradual degeneration of the retina. He talked of the challenges of competing in the show while unable to see himself in the mirror during rehearsals, or watch playbacks of his performances.
In a tearful victory speech, McCausland said: “This is for [Buswell] and it’s for everyone out there that got told they couldn’t do something or thought they couldn’t do something … and it just shows that with opportunity and support and determination, anything can happen.”.
