From Darkness to Dance Floor Glory
Chris McCausland's life story reads like an improbable screenplay, yet every word is true. The 48-year-old Liverpool-born comedian has navigated a remarkable journey from software engineer to celebrated entertainer, all while losing his sight in his twenties due to a genetic disorder. His recent victory on Strictly Come Dancing in 2024 defied all expectations, including his own.
McCausland's waltz with professional dancer Dianne Buswell wasn't just a competition highlight - it earned the prestigious memorable moment Bafta in 2025, cementing his place in television history. "I went into it thinking I would last two weeks!" he admits, calling Strictly his greatest achievement.
A Life Reinvented
Before comedy found him, McCausland's life took several unexpected turns. After losing his sight, he transitioned from software engineering to sales before discovering standup comedy in 2003. This year marks another milestone with his theatre tour Yonks! adding more than 100 new dates, extending the run until May 2026.
His recently published memoir, Keep Laughing, chronicles this extraordinary journey. When asked to describe himself in three words, he offers: "Hard-working, resilient, irritating" - a characteristically honest assessment from a performer known for his self-deprecating humour.
Memories and Misadventures
McCausland's interview reveals both the challenges and humour he's found in his situation. His most embarrassing moment occurred during the period when he was losing his sight. "I went into an undertaker's thinking it was a barber's," he recalls. "I asked the undertaker whether he had many waiting."
His teenage years were markedly different from his current life. He describes himself as a geek during college, happiest when immersed in computers, maths and further maths. This academic background makes his confession about cheating in an English exam particularly surprising. "I was meant to read To Kill a Mockingbird for an exam and I didn't," he reveals, explaining that he hid an electronic copy on his laptop during the test.
Facing Prejudice with Perspective
McCausland has experienced his share of discrimination, recalling being thrown out of a club after accidentally walking into someone. "I told them that I was registered blind. They said: 'Don't give a fuck - you don't belong in here.'" He reflects that as a straight white man, this incident "gives you a taste of what other people have to contend with."
Despite his success, he remains pragmatic about what would improve his life quality. "Eyesight," he states simply, though he's clearly not let its absence limit his ambitions.
Looking Forward with Humour
Married with one child and living in London, McCausland continues to push boundaries. He's even considering a hair transplant, noting that "when you're a comedian, it's tax deductible."
His career demonstrates remarkable resilience, from those early "awful gigs" where he admits "you can't become a successful comedian without dying on your arse more times than you can remember" to dancing before millions on national television.
When asked who would play him in a film of his life, he acknowledges the "glaring problem" but declares: "fuck it - Denzel Washington, because he's the best." It's this combination of pragmatism and ambition that has defined McCausland's unexpected but inspiring career trajectory.
