Chris McCausland reveals what it was like to go blind 20 years ago: ‘It was scary and embarrassing’

CBeebies star Chris McCausland has made a name for himself with his sharp wit and relatable observations. What sets him apart from others and makes him one of the most prominent figures in the UK comedy scene is his skill in portraying his disability through humour.

Born with a degenerative eye condition known as Retinitis Pigmentosa, McCausland gradually lost his sight over time—something that is currently happening to Judi Dench who suffers from another tragic condition.

Despite the challenges that come with blindness, he has turned his experiences into a unique source of comedic material, resonating with audiences across the country.

Chris McCausland: What was it like to go blind 20 years ago?

McCausland appeared on Scared of the Dark last year alongside Paul Gascoigne, Scarlett Moffatt, Chris Eubank, Donna Preston, Chloe Burrows, Max George, and Nicola Adams. In a conversation with Love Island star Chloe Burrows, the comedian opened up about his condition, reports MailOnline.

Burrows asked McCausland if it ‘hurt’ when he started losing his sight, prompting him to reply:

Yes, it was painful. I haven't been able to see for 20 years. When it started happening it was scary and embarrassing. I got myself into bad situations because I didn't want to ask for help. I will never be on a level playing field with everyone else.

Reportedly, the Liverpudlian star gradually lost his sight between the ages of 16 and 21. Speaking about his condition previously, McCausland explained that there was no particular moment when he lost his sight, but it happened at different times in different phases. He said:

People go, 'Well, when did you go blind?' And it's very hard to say because when your eyesight deteriorates steadily, you stop being able to do different things at different stages.

So you stop being able to see in the dark, or see dusk, or see your computer screen, or read a printed book, all of these different things happen at different times.

As such, the comedian places his loss of sight during a period from his late teens to early twenties because that’s when ‘the bulk of the useful stuff just went.’

What do we know about Chris McCausland’s condition?

Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) is a group of genetic eye disorders that cause the gradual deterioration of the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. This progressive condition primarily affects the photoreceptor cells in the retina, which are responsible for capturing light and converting it into signals sent to the brain for visual recognition.

Common symptoms include night blindness, peripheral vision loss, and progressive vision loss. Currently, there is no cure for the condition.

In an interview with Gyles Brandreth, McCausland shared how he eventually stopped doing things he loved because of his sight. For instance, he loved playing football but couldn’t play it anymore, reports MailOnline. However, as he’s getting older, he’s becoming more ‘comfortable’ in his own skin and taking up new challenges — such joining Strictly Come Dancing 2024.

Chris McCausland wins Strictly 2024

According to the Mirror, McCausland made history on the show as its first-ever blind contestant this year. When he first entered the show he said he was unsure of how he was going to pull it off. He said:

I've never watched it ever. I don't know what I'm getting myself into.

The comedian added that he feels ‘massively apprehensive’ about his stint as he has ‘never danced.’ He added:

If anybody out there is thinking - How the hell is he going to do that? - then rest assured that I am thinking exactly the same thing.

I don't dance, I haven't danced, I can't dance, I can't see the dancing I will have to do. What can possibly go wrong? Ok, don't answer that…

But what's amazing is that not only did Chris McCausland dance, but he managed to win the competition, alongside his partner Dianne Buswell. He beat out all the other competitors with a global score of 116. He said of his win:

It's astonishing, I don't know what to say. I thought I would go out in the first week or two. We have lasted and lasted and she has got so much out of me, she deserves this so much

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Sources Used

Daily Mail: Scared Of The Dark: 'It was scary and embarrassing': Emotional Chris McCausland reveals what it was like to go blind 20 years ago

Daily Mail: Blind comedian Chris McCausland confesses having children 'terrified him'...

Mirror: How did Chris McCausland lose eyesight as comic becomes Strictly's first blind contestant

Mirror: Strictly Come Dancing's Chris McCausland is a 'legacy to blind people' after 'amazing' win