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.
Image Credit: Metro [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.]
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’.
Image Credit: Metro [Editorial use only Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock (15006929m) Chris McCausland 'Lorraine' TV show, London, UK - 16 Dec 2024]
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.
Image Credit: Metro [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.]
‘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.’.
Image Credit: Metro [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.]
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.’.
![[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.]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_233252397-0cdf.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
![[Editorial use only Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock (15006929m) Chris McCausland 'Lorraine' TV show, London, UK - 16 Dec 2024]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_233441550-6d9f.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
![[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.]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_233247924-e757.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
![[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.]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/SEI_207015670-6d39.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
