Chris McCausland has shared an emotional insight into his experience on Strictly Come Dancing, 

revealing what surprised him most about his time on the beloved BBC dance competition.

The comedian, who was crowned champion alongside professional dancer Dianne Buswell in the show’s 2024 series,

has reflected on the highs and lows of the competition—both physically and emotionally.

Despite initially turning down Strictly bosses in previous years, Chris eventually agreed to take part and made history as the show’s first blind contestant.

Chris McCausland’s Journey to Victory

Chris was partnered with Australian professional Dianne Buswell when the show kicked off in September 2023. Over the course of three intense months, he trained rigorously and performed in the famous Strictly ballroom, captivating audiences with his determination and improving dance skills.

By December, Chris and Dianne had made it all the way to the glittering grand final, where they faced tough competition from fellow finalists: Miranda actress Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola, Love Island star Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec, and JLS singer JB Gill and Lauren Oakley.

After delivering a stunning waltz to You’ll Never Walk Alone by Gerry and the Pacemakers, which earned them a perfect score from the judges, Chris and Dianne were crowned the winners. The emotional moment saw them both in tears as they embraced the reality of their victory.

The Physical Toll of Strictly’s Intense Training

Speaking on The Jonathan Ross Show, which airs on Saturday, February 15, Chris opened up about the immense physical challenges of the competition. He admitted that the relentless training schedule was more demanding than he ever expected.

“You start like you’re an athlete—but you’re not an athlete,” he explained. “It’s eight hours a day, six days a week—it’s relentless. The first few weeks, you pick up injuries that relate to the dance you’re doing. The jive—you feel like you’ve been on a mule for a week. The first time you do a bit of ballroom—your knees take it because you’re not used to it. It’s amazing more people don’t get injured permanently on that show.”

Chris also shared details of his worst injury, which came as a result of a daring move Dianne had discovered online.

“Dianne tried to do this move with me that she’d seen on TikTok. I had to pull her vertical body up straight, and it literally ripped me apart from my left a**e cheek to my right shoulder,” he recalled.

The Emotional Impact on His Family

Beyond the physical toll, Chris also revealed that his family—particularly his young daughter—felt the emotional weight of his Strictly journey.

“My wife and my daughter watched it at home. My daughter really got into it. She was so nervous—I think she fed off my anxiety,” he said.

Recalling the very first episode, he shared how much it meant to his daughter to see him succeed.

“She was so nervous that it wouldn’t work or I’d make a fool of myself or fall over or something. When we did that first move where we danced off, she burst out crying and missed the whole thing,” he revealed.

The Overwhelming Moment of Winning

Despite the challenges, Chris described winning Strictly Come Dancing as an incredibly emotional experience. He and Dianne had formed a strong partnership throughout the series, and when their names were announced as the winners, the moment was almost too much to handle.

“It was emotional, Jonathan, it was so emotional,” Chris admitted. “Me and Dianne were meant to link arms at the end of that and walk off. As we linked arms, she crumpled and then I crumpled, and the two of us were in bits. It was a lot, you know.”

Looking Back on His Strictly Journey

Chris McCausland’s Strictly experience was one filled with challenges, surprises, and unforgettable moments. From battling through injuries to overcoming self-doubt, his journey resonated with viewers who admired his perseverance.

His historic win proved that with determination and hard work, anything is possible—even learning to dance under the toughest of conditions. And while he may not have expected the physical and emotional toll Strictly would take, his triumph on the dancefloor is one that he and his family will cherish forever.