Strictly bosses ‘left with headache’ after Chris McCausland becomes favourite to win BBC show
STRICTLY bosses have reported been ‘left with headache’ after Chris McCausland becomes a favourite to win the BBC show.
The stand up comic – who is blind – has impressed Strictly viewers with his routines so far in the 2024 series.
Chris, 47, is paired with pro partner Dianne Buswell and their chemistry – as well as his impressive performances – have made him a front runner to lift the Glitterball Trophy come December.
However, if he does triumph over his fellow celebrities, Chris will leave bosses in a bit of a pickle, according to The Mirror.
Historically, the Strictly champion always takes part in the show’s annual live tour, which heads to arenas all around the country weeks after the Strictly finale.
Unfortunately, Chris’ own stand up tour clashes with the 2025 Strictly tour dates, meaning he would be the first champ not to participate.
A source told the publication: “Craig [Revel Horwood] has suggested that all this year’s favourites will be there but that’s not true.
“How can Chris be in two places at once? As things stand, Chris can’t do it because every show on his comedy tour from January 17 clashes.”
Chris currently has odds of 4/9 to win with bookies, with Tasha Ghouri next in line with 4/1.
The Strictly Tour 2025 is set to begin in Birmingham on January 17 before heading to cities including Sheffield, Newcastle, Glasgow and Manchester.
It is set to conclude at London’s O2 Arena on February 9.
However, Chris’ latest stand up tour, Yonks!, also starts on January 17 in Walsall and runs right through until June.
A spokesperson for Ladbrokes said of the latest odds: “Chris McCausland seems to be running away with the competition this year after he extended his lead at the head of the Strictly betting.
“Tasha is his main rival as things stand, but punters only see one winner.”
Chris and Dianne safely made it through to Halloween Week this weekend.
Unfortunately the same could not be said for Paul Merson and his pro partner Karen Hauer, who became the latest couple to be voted off the show on Sunday night.
Strictly 2024 pairings
Here's who is matched with who this series...
Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell
Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas
JB Gill and Amy Dowden MBE
Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe
Nick Knowles and Luba Mushtuk
Paul Merson and Karen Hauer
Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystał
Punam Krishan and Gorka Márquez
Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec
Tom Dean MBE and Nadiya Bychkova
Toyah Willcox and Neil Jones
Sam Quek MBE and Nikita Kuzmin
Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola
Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu
Wynne Evans and Katya Jones
Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One and is available on BBC iPlayer.