A TV insider said Chris McCausland could be helping the BBC boost its comedy shows after winning Strictly Come Dancing as bosses are keen to keep him within the corporation
Strictly star Chris McCausland is said to be lined up for a huge deal with the BBC after winning the popular dancing contest.
Bosses at the corporation are said to be determined to keep the comedian after he and Dianne Buswell lifted the Glitterball on Saturday. As the show’s first blind contestant, Chris amazed viewers, judges, professional dancers and his fellow contestants and was never once in the dreaded dance-off.
Now, a TV insider said his journey on Strictly proves that Chris, 47, has “a traditional sense of humour that can connect with the ordinary viewers at home” which is something that is lacking from other comedy shows on the BBC. And if the speculation is confirmed, Chris would be helping the BBC boost is comedy offering.
The source told The Sun: “What he did by keeping everyone in fits during the course of Strictly was show that he wasn’t just funny, but proved he had a traditional sense of humour that can connect with the ordinary viewers at home. That’s something which critics have said is lacking from many comedy series on the Beeb, and Chris could breathe new life into a genre which was once a mainstay for the corporation.”
They added that Chris could also be involved in general entertainment shows. The insider continued: “They are considering ways of him being reunited with pro partner Dianne as they had such a sensational chemistry together.”
After 13 weeks of wowing the viewers he is now laughing all the way to the bank as TV execs vye to sign him up in acting and presenting roles – and tickets to his UK gigs are selling out fast. Experts reckon the comedian – whose stand-up tour is entitled Yonks in reference to how long he has been doing it – could cash in on his success to the tune of £1million, after the voting public fell in love with him.
He is also credited with bringing Strictly back from the brink, after it was mired in controversy ahead of this series following complaints about abusive behaviour from former contestants. PR guru Mark Borkowski said the comedian had done the series a huge favour – and that it worked both ways.
“Chris is the unlikely saviour of Strictly after a pre-season turmoil,” he told The Mirror. “His authenticity and humour have given the show a shot of much-needed credibility and warmth, reminding everyone why they fell in love with the format in the first place.
“He hasn’t just danced his way to the bank, he’s carried Strictly there with him, turning a potentially disastrous series into a glittering, headline-grabbing redemption arc. Beyond the glitterball, Chris is perfectly poised to cash in; TV deals, brand partnerships and a refreshed comedy tour that will likely sell out faster than you can say ‘paso doble’.”
Chris has already doubled his tour in length, adding 100 dates due to “phenomenal demand” as his star soared at the end of October. Borkowski believes his time on Strictly “transcends disability and rewrites what representation can look like” on mainstream TV. “As a blind comedian, he’s shattered expectations and delivered a victory that feels both groundbreaking and natural, proving talent and charisma are what truly captivate an audience,” he added. “If the industry loves anything, it’s a story like his: heart, humour and a big win. Strictly just polished his star into prime-time gold.”
Channel 4 and Sky will be the first to benefit from Chris’s newfound star status, having already recorded shows which air over the festive period. This Sunday he will appear in Sky’s Christmas comedy caper Bad Tidings alongside Lee Mack. In it, they play warring neighbours who fall out over some Christmas lights but have to join forces to save the day during a power cut – with Chris’s blindness becoming a useful superpower. And Channel 4 has already filmed Chris as a panellist on its Big Fat Quiz of the Year, hosted by Jimmy Carr.
Yesterday the dad-of-one and his pro partner Dianne Buswell – who gave themselves the team-name Winning Isn’t Everything – issued a heartfelt thank you to the viewers who took them to triumph in the 20th anniversary series of Strictly Come Dancing. Speaking with emotion just after the show ended, Chris said: “Thank you to everyone, this is just beyond words. It’s just remarkable. It’s taking all my energy to not cry again.”
The Mirror has contacted the BBC for comment.
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