Strictly favourite hits out at ‘sympathy vote’

Strictly Come Dancing star Chris McCausland has hit out at the notion that he could be this year’s ‘sympathy vote’ – revealing how he ‘didn’t want it to be a calamity because I can’t see.’

The comedian, 47, has made Strictly history as the show’s first blind contestant, losing his eyesight after being diagnosed with the hereditary condition retinitis pigmentosa, aged 22.

Partnered with professional dancer Dianne Buswell, Chris has gone on to become bookies’ favourite to take the glitterball trophy this year, impressing both viewers and the show’s panel of judges.

On last weekend’s show, Chris and Dianne scored a whopping 30 points for their Salsa to Down Under, by Men at Work. It was confirmed on Sunday’s episode that the paid had made it through to another week following the public vote.

Chris’s impressive run of performances – and popularity with the audience – have made him a firm favourite to win this year’s Strictly, beating out the competition to win the trophy.

However, Chris has revealed how he plans to do so on his own merit, revealing how he didn’t want to be branded Strictly’s ‘sympathy vote.’

Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Mirror, Chris said: ‘I mean, to be honest, every time we get through, I say to Dianne, “Oh, I got away with that, didn’t I?”

He continued: ‘It’s certainly gone better than I thought it would, because I had no idea whether I’d be able to do it at all, which is part of my doubt of, and the fear of, doing Strictly.’

Speaking on the shift from stand-up to dancer, Chris revealed the toll Strictly has taken, both mentally and physically.

‘I’ve hit a few walls along the way and that’s to be expected for a fellow that sits on a stool for a living. I suppose you could say that stand up is that thing of feeling the fear and doing it anyway,’ he told the tabloid.

He continued: ‘Stand up ultimately becomes a comfort zone, doesn’t it? And even though people think it’s brave and all that, it just becomes a regular Tuesday.

‘I said no to this a few times because I just didn’t think I’d be able to do it. I thought it was one step too far.

‘I don’t want to be the sympathy vote. I don’t mind being a bad dancer. I don’t mind people laughing at me because I’m a comical dancer or a bad dancer, but I didn’t want it to be a calamity because I can’t see.’

Strictly experts predict Chris McCausland to win this year’s show

Far from being a calamity on the dancefloor, Chris has emerged as a clear favourite to win the competition.

Bookies currently have Chris and Dianne as favourite to take the glitterball trophy, with William Hill giving the pair odds of 4/9 to win – with model Tasha Ghouri just behind at 4/1.

Last week, Shirley praised Chris’s ‘flawless’ lifts during their routine, saying: ‘You didn’t miss a trick, you got absolutely everywhere you needed to be and stayed in time to the music. I am telling you from my heart, that is absolutely impressive.’

After earning some boos for highlighting the ‘plonky’ footwork, Anton described the routine as ‘one of the most remarkable things I’ve ever seen in my entire life.’

Meanwhile, Craig described the performance as ‘bonzer,’ while Motsi said the dance was ‘a joy to watch.’

Chris and Dianne will return to the dancefloor this weekend, with Chris set to perform a Waltz to the Liverpool football anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone.

Will the Chris McCausland effect strike again?