Real reason Chris McCausland will be missing from Strictly Live Tour. (Image: BBC)
champion regretfully informed his fans that they won’t have the chance to witness him and his dance partner Dianne Buswell dazzle on stage together again.
Responding to a fan’s question on a social media platform, the comedian said it was “unfortunate” that he would be missing out on the tour, which begins today (January 17) and will continue until February 9.
He explained: “I’m afraid I will not be able to do the Strictly tour. My own tour was meant to be on the road in September and a lot of dates were moved to Jan and Feb to accommodate doing #Strictly.
“It’s unfortunate as it’s been so much fun, but my own dates can’t be moved for a second time,” he explained.
Despite having to skip the tour, Chris delighted fans when he released additional dates to his Yonks! tour thanks to his soaring popularity following the show.
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Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell won Strictly 2024. (Image: BBC)
Kicking off in Winchester on Tuesday (January 14), the tour will conclude on May 18, 2026, covering over 200 venues throughout the UK and Ireland.
It includes stops in Birmingham, Leeds, Brighton, Dublin, Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, among others, with several shows already reaching sold-out status, reports .
The comedian and his dance partner Dianne became national treasures during their stint on , ultimately winning the competition.
Following their victory, McCausland expressed: “I have learned that I am more capable than I thought I was. It has been full of so many joyful moments.”
Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell became national treasures after their time on Strictly. (Image: BBC)
Their couple’s choice routine to John Lennon’s ‘Instant Karma’ made them an internet sensation, particularly due to a “blackout moment” that briefly portrayed McCausland’s experience as a blind performer.
McCausland, who suffers from retinitis pigmentosa and gradually lost his sight in his 20s, was the first blind contestant on the show.
After his win, judge Motsi Mabuse praised him saying: “You [Chris] are a role model for each and every one of us. “[You’ve shown us that] everything is possible if you fight. You didn’t only show us dancing, you gave us inspiration.”
Fellow judge Shirley Ballas then commended Dianne, calling her a “very special person”. Anton Du Beke added: “I think you’ll change people’s lives.