As Chris McCausland lights up Strictly, DAVID BLUNKETT - who shares comedian's disability - praises his 'have-a-go' attitude: 'From one blind man to another: Thank you, Chris for brilliantly inspiring the next generation'

As Chris McCausland lights up Strictly, DAVID BLUNKETT - who shares comedian's disability - praises his 'have-a-go' attitude: 'From one blind man to another: Thank you, Chris for brilliantly inspiring the next generation' By David Blunkett For The Daily Mail Published: 22:30, 28 September 2024 | Updated: 22:36, 28 September 2024 e-mail 36 shares View comments For those who are unfamiliar with the comedian Chris McCausland , his appearance on BBC 's Strictly Come Dancing will have come as a revelation. Many will already be familiar with his tremendous sense of humour, irrepressible personality and willingness to have a go at anything. Some may have seen him in the Channel 4 reality show Scared Of The Dark , where contestants lived in a house devoid of light for eight days.

Others may have tuned into BBC Radio 4 for You Heard It Here First, where he asks a panel of comedians to guess an object from sound only. Programmes like these are close to my heart because, of course, the one thing that Chris and I have in common is that neither of us can see. We certainly don't share a skill for dancing, for my two left feet have never done me any favours on the dance floor, which is why I'd never agree to Strictly.

As a politician, it was drummed into me to never put myself in a vulnerable situation – at least if I could help it. This is why I have turned down, on numerous occasions, appearing on Have I Got News For You; and, once, the £25,000 I was offered to go on Channel 4's The Fr.