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Friend reveals Chris' hurdle to winning Strictly

BBC/PA Comedian Chris McCausland dances with his partner Dianne Buswell. They are holding hands and facing each other in a waltz position. He is wearing a white shirt with purple stripes and a contrasting tie with purple waistcoat and trousers. Dianne Buswell has her back to the camera and wears a white dress and has a white bow tied in her red hair.BBC/PA
Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell have been one of the star couples of this year's Strictly Come Dancing

A friend of Strictly Come Dancing finalist Chris McCausland has revealed what could be his biggest hurdle to winning the competition.

Sally Rodrigues, Bristol-based therapist and the blind national sailing champion, said the comedian still needs to overcome his nerves.

She added that the representation Chris has given the blind community is "huge" and she hopes Chris and his dance partner Dianne Buswell will win this Saturday's final.

"I don't know what it is but I just have this gut feeling he's going to win it, he's seriously delivering and he's really popular," she said.

Sally Rodriguez went to college with Chris McCausland & is blind national sailing champ.

"It's so exciting, I have to leave the room sometimes," she told BBC Radio Bristol.

In 2021, actress Rose Ayling-Ellis became the first deaf contestant to win the competition.

"You could argue they needed a blind person, or other disabilities, to balance it out but Chris had been asked to do it multiple times before and declined because of how fearful he was," said Sally.

The 47-year-old admitted he felt sick with fear before his first live dance, but since then his confidence has been steadily growing.

BBC/PA Chris McCausland and his Strictly Come Dancing partner Dianna Buswell dance on the set of the programme. Dianne stands in front of Chris with her back to him and her left hand raised whilst holding his right hand. She wears a dark purple dress and heels. Chris has his right hand on her shoulder and wears a brown shirt with black trousers and shoes.BBC/PA
Chris' bond with Dianne has blossomed

However, Sally believes he still has not fully overcome his nerves.

During the series, his partnership with pro-dancer Dianne has blossomed, and their chemistry on the dancefloor has been clear to everyone watching, Sally added.

"It's special to be able to almost touch their bond through the screen," said Sally.

"They're very connected and they have to be in order to get this level of standard from both of them.

"Being mentally bonded is the most important thing but obviously they have to be physically connected as well and they're pulling that off."

Chris' appearance on the programme coincides with it being the first series audio-description is available for viewers.

The service lays a voice over the programme that describes what is taking place on the screen.

"I've never watched the programme because it was only music to me before, but now I can 100% take on everything they're saying and doing," said Sally.

The Strictly Come Dancing final is on BBC One at 18:00 GMT on Saturday December 14.

Audio description is available via the BBC iPlayer.

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