Chris McCausland, the reigning Strictly Come Dancing champion, has opened up about the physically demanding nature of the competition, 

revealing that one particular dance move left him in serious pain. 

The 47-year-old comedian, who made history as the show’s first blind contestant, reflected on his Strictly journey in a recent interview on The Jonathan Ross Show.

The comedian, who was crowned the Strictly champion alongside professional partner Dianne Buswell last year, 

did not participate in the show’s live tour due to scheduling conflicts with his own stand-up gigs. 

However, he remains deeply connected to his time on the BBC dance competition and shared his experiences—both triumphant and painful—on the ITV talk show, 

where he appeared alongside Brian Cox, Christina Hendricks, Oti Mabuse, and Snow Patrol.

The Physical Toll of Strictly Training

Speaking to host Jonathan Ross, Chris candidly discussed the extreme physical strain that came with training for Strictly Come Dancing. He admitted that stepping into the rigorous rehearsals was a shock to the system.

“You start like you’re an athlete, but you’re not an athlete. It’s eight hours a day, six days a week—it’s relentless,” he explained.

Chris described how different dance styles brought new challenges and even injuries. “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,” he joked.

The Move That Left Him in Pain

While injuries are common in such an intense competition, Chris recalled one particular dance move that left him struggling. He revealed that his professional partner, Dianne Buswell, had found a challenging lift on TikTok and decided to incorporate it into their routine. Unfortunately, it did not go as planned.

“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 admitted, making the audience laugh.

Despite the physical setbacks, Chris remained determined and pushed through the pain, ultimately securing the Strictly trophy in December.

An Emotional Victory

Chris also reminisced about the moment he and Dianne were announced as winners, describing it as an emotional experience that overwhelmed them both.

“It was emotional, Jonathan. It was so emotional. 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,” he said.

A Special Strictly Memento

Many contestants take home keepsakes from their time on Strictly, and Chris was no exception. However, he admitted he hasn’t quite mustered the confidence to wear his chosen memento just yet.

“I took my Strictly Come Dancing embroidered dressing gown, and I haven’t had the face to wear it at home yet in case someone knocks at the door and I forget I’ve got it on,” he shared with a laugh.

Would He Try Dancing on Ice?

When asked if he would ever consider taking on another challenge like Dancing on Ice, Chris was quick to shut down the idea.

“I said on Strictly that you’re capable of more than people think, but I didn’t really mean it. Even I’ve got a line—I would literally be in a double cast within an hour. I do not ice skate,” he said, making it clear that he has no plans to swap the ballroom for the ice rink.

Chris Tries Carnival Dancing with Oti Mabuse

To wrap up the episode, Jonathan Ross invited former Strictly professional Oti Mabuse to showcase some celebratory carnival dance moves in honor of her upcoming tour. Chris, ever the entertainer, agreed to “have a go”. With Oti guiding him through some batucada-style moves, the audience was treated to a fun and lighthearted moment to end the show.

While Chris may have endured a few injuries along the way, his journey on Strictly Come Dancing was nothing short of inspiring. His historic win, paired with his humorous reflections on the experience, proves that perseverance and a good sense of humor can take you far—even if it means a few aches and pains along the way.

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