Strictly’s Chris McCausland to lead Channel 4’s alternative Christmas Day speech

Following his historic Strictly Come Dancing win last week, Chris McCausland has now had another honour bestowed upon him.

On Christmas Day, the comedian will address the nation in Channel 4’s alternative festive message, with the likes of Stephen Fry and Tom Daley taking on the role in previous years.

Chris, 47, who was Strictly’s first-ever blind contestant, is set to call for an end to discrimination against disabled people during his speech.

The broadcaster has confirmed that Chris, who lifted the Glitterball Trophy with Dianne Buswell, will describe disabled people as ‘often some of the most resilient, creative, and determined people you will ever likely meet’.

He will begin his speech by apologising to viewers for stuffing his face with mince pies before using the Christmassy snack as a metaphor for ‘equality’.

Chris will say: ‘I don’t care if they’re the posh ones or the cheap ones; I don’t care if they’re the big ones or those tiny little dinky ones, whether it’s got a solid top or a lattice crown.

‘I will never discriminate against any sort of mince pie.

‘All of them are equal to me and will no doubt meet the same undignified end as I try and fit it all in my mouth in one go.’

Chris will declare: ‘Discrimination is never a good thing.’

The Liverpudlian star will then crack a joke about how ‘sometimes’ discrimination can be positive as, ‘many, many years ago’ he ‘applied to be a spy for MI5.’

‘I got down to the last 30 out of 3,000 applicants, the top 1% of potential spies that this country had to offer before they decided no, a blind spy wasn’t what they were looking for, but, you know, I think they had a point.’

Chris quips: ‘I think sometimes discrimination can be vital for the safety of the nation, but usually, we can do better.’

The stand-up star lost his sight in his early twenties due to a hereditary condition called retinitis pigmentosa.

He now repeatedly uses his blindness to inspire material in his comedy routines and repeatedly whipped out self-deprecating jokes while on Strictly, much to the amusement of viewers.

This year’s grand final had millions in tears as Chris and Dianne performed three incredible routines, including a gorgeous waltz to Liverpool anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone, which earned them a perfect score of 40.

After lifting the trophy, Chris was asked what winning meant to him, replying: ‘It’s astonishing. I don’t know what to say.’

‘I honestly thought I could go out in the first week or two. I know nobody went out on week one, but I thought I could,’ he joked.

Turning to Australian pro Dianne, Chris continued: ‘She’s got so much out of me. She deserves this so much. She’s positive, and she’s one of the easiest people to be funny with.

‘Unless she changes her number, she’s stuck with me.

‘This is for her and for everyone who was told they couldn’t do something. With opportunity, support, and determination, anything can happen.’

The world is now Chris’s oyster, as it’s been predicted that he could boost his net worth by a staggering £5,000,000 in the years to come.

A PR expert explained to Metro that ‘this is just the start’ for Chris, with plenty of major TV opportunities sure to come his way.

Alas, for fans hoping to watch him on the Strictly 2025 Live Tour, we have some bad news, as, despite being the series winner, Chris’s own mammoth tour, comprising over 200 dates, cannot be rescheduled.