November 30th 2024.
Viewers of Strictly Come Dancing couldn't help but cringe as they watched host Tess Daly make a comment that seemed a bit insensitive towards contestant Chris McCausland. Chris, who is partnered with Dianne Buswell, has captured the hearts of the nation as the first-ever blind contestant on the show.
The 47-year-old comedian from Liverpool and his 35-year-old Australian pro partner have been wowing audiences every week and have managed to avoid the dreaded dance-off. Their powerful couple's choice and emotional waltz earned them a spot in the quarterfinals, where they gave an energetic quickstep performance to "You're the Top" from Anything Goes during Musicals Week.
As the pair approached Tess for feedback from the judges, the presenter seemed to speak without thinking. While Dianne was beaming with happiness and had her arms wrapped around Chris, Tess said, "Can you see how happy she is with you?" This comment was quickly noticed by viewers, who couldn't help but point out the irony of asking a blind man if he could see.
Despite Tess's comment, Chris appeared to be more concerned with his wardrobe choice, stating that he hates wearing a tie and joking about burning calories while wearing one. The judges gave the duo a score of 32 points, placing them second from the bottom on the scoreboard for the week.
Many viewers took to social media to express their shock and amusement at Tess's remark. Some even recalled a previous incident where Tess made a similar comment to another contestant who is partially deaf. However, there were a few viewers who defended Tess, finding humor in the situation as someone with a visual impairment themselves.
But Chris has made it clear that he doesn't want to be seen as a sympathy vote on the show. Despite not being able to see, he has amazed audiences with his performances and has insisted that he doesn't want his disability to be the focus. In an interview with The Mirror, Chris said, "I don't mind being a bad dancer, but I didn't want it to be a calamity because I can't see."
As the show heads towards its finale, Chris and Dianne's fans are eagerly waiting to see if they will make it all the way. Regardless, Chris's determination and positive attitude have won over the hearts of many and he continues to be an inspiration to others. Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
