Dianne Buswell has broken her silence on partner Chris McCausland missing the show’s live tour after it kicked off earlier this week in Birmingham.
The dancer, 35, and comedian, 47, made history after he became the first blind contestant to win the coveted Glitterball trophy.
In her new YouTube Vlog Dianne admitted returning to the dance floor without her former partner was ‘really tough’ after he was forced to skip the shows due to his mammoth 250 dates Yonks! stand-up tour.
She said: ‘Chris can’t do [the tour]. It’s actually been really tough for me to see everyone else with their partners and to know that Chris can’t do it. It has been really tough,’
‘However, I’m really excited to still be a part of it and very very grateful for that. So y’know I’m counting my lucky stars there’.
The opening show kicked off at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena while Chris was taking to the stage just 12-miles away in Walsall.
Dianne Buswell, 35, has broken her silence on partner Chris McCausland, 37, missing the show’s live tour after it kicked off earlier this week in Birmingham .
The dancer and comedian made history after the hebecame the first blind contestant to win the coveted Glitterball trophy
Speaking in December, the comedy star confirmed to fans that he would not be taking to the dancefloor with Dianne once more.
He explained on X: ‘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.’
Despite his missing out on reuniting with his Strictly pals, Chris looked in his element as he entertained at the Walsall Arena.
Looking sharp in a grey suit and white T-shirt, the comic appeared to be having a great time as he continued the tour, which had previously been rescheduled from September to avoid clashing with his Strictly main show stint.
It comes after news Chris has landed an exciting new job after soaring to success and winning the hearts of the nation on the BBC dance competition last month.
The comedian is joining the series four lineup of Comedy Central Live – a stand-up series that will include four episodes, set to air weekly on Comedy Central UK in early 2025.
He is set to perform alongside the likes of Judi Love, Amy Matthews, Kane Brown, Ola Labib, Jack Skipper, Amy Gledhill and Joshua Bethania in the fan-favourite show.
The new series will also feature an additional 30 digital episodes that will be put out on the network’s social media accounts where each act will perform their own set.
In her YouTube Vlog Dianne admitted returning to the dance floor without her former partner was ‘really tough’ after he was forced to skip the shows due to his Yonks! stand-up tour.
The opening show kicked off at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena (pictured) while Chris was taking to the stage just 12-miles away in Walsall
The pair were crowned champions during the show’s live final last month
Speaking in December, the comedy star confirmed to fans that he would not be taking to the dancefloor with Dianne once more (pictured 2021)
He explained on X: ‘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’
Last month, it was claimed Chris – who is blind – had a big-money deal awaiting him to stay with the BBC as his humour ‘can connect with ordinary viewers at home’.
A TV insider told The Sun: ‘What he did by keeping everyone in fits during the course of ‘Strictly’ was a show that he wasn’t just funny, but proved he ha
d a traditional sense of humour that can connect with the ordinary viewers at home.
‘That’s something which critics have said is lacking from many comedy series on the Beeb, and Chris could breathe new life into a genre which was once a mainstay for the corporation.’
Before adding that Chris’ talents could also be used for more general entertainment show and bosses are also planning to reunite him with pro partner Dianne to recapture their ‘sensational chemistry’.
However, it is not just comedy shows that Chris could be a part of, but also general entertainment programming – such as earlier this year when he presented his talk show on ITV1 called The Chris McCausland Show.
The insider continued: ‘They are considering ways of him being reunited with pro partner Dianne [Buswell] as they had such a sensational chemistry together.’
The Liverpool-born star and Dianne lifted the coveted Glitterball Trophy on December 14 after viewers voted for them as the winners of the hit show.
Chris not only made history during his Strictly stint as the show’s first ever blind contestant, but also impressed bosses with his cheeky wit which is said to have helped to save the glitzy competition following a year of scandals.
He also delivered Channel 4’s Alternative Christmas Message on December 25 to call for an end to discrimination against disabled people, and for employers and the government to support their access to jobs.
