BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Chris McCausland set to make £1m after 'saving' show

As he hoisted the Strictly glitterball on Saturday night, Chris McCausland joked that he'd been worried about being sent home in week one - despite knowing no celebrities actually leave in the opening show. However, after 13 weeks of impressing the viewers, he is now laughing all the way to the bank as TV executives scramble to sign him up for acting and presenting roles - and tickets to his UK gigs are selling out quickly.

Experts estimate that the comedian - whose stand-up tour is titled Yonks in reference to his long career - could cash in on his success to the tune of £1million after the voting public fell head over heels for him. Chris, 47, is also credited with saving Strictly from a crisis, after it was embroiled in controversy ahead of this series due to complaints about abusive behaviour from former contestants.

PR expert Mark Borkowski said the comedian had done the series a massive favour - and that it worked both ways. "Chris is the unlikely saviour of Strictly after a pre-season turmoil," he said.

Read more Strictly Come Dancing fans say another contestant 'deserved' to win after final result

"His authenticity and humour have given the show a shot of much-needed credibility and warmth, reminding everyone why they fell in love with the format in the first place.

"He hasn't just danced his way to the bank, he's carried Strictly there with him, turning a potentially disastrous series into a glittering, headline-grabbing redemption arc. Beyond the glitterball, Chris is perfectly poised to cash in; TV deals, brand partnerships and a refreshed comedy tour that will likely sell out faster than you can say 'paso doble'."

Chris has already doubled his tour in length, adding 100 dates due to "phenomenal demand" as his star soared at the end of October, reports the Mirror. Borkowski believes his time on Strictly "transcends disability and rewrites what representation can look like" on mainstream TV.

"As a blind comedian, he's shattered expectations and delivered a victory that feels both groundbreaking and natural, proving talent and charisma are what truly captivate an audience," he continued. "If the industry loves anything, it's a story like his: heart, humour and a big win. Strictly just polished his star into prime-time gold."

Channel 4 and Sky are set to reap the rewards of Chris's newly minted celebrity status as he has pre-recorded shows that will be broadcast during the festive season. This Sunday, viewers can catch Chris in Sky's Christmas romp Bad Tidings, starring alongside Lee Mack.

The duo act as feuding neighbours who encounter a disagreement over Christmas decorations, only to later ally against a power outage—with Chris's blindness ingeniously serving as a superpower. Additionally, Channel 4 has wrapped up production with Chris featuring as a panellist on its Big Fat Quiz of the Year, led by the infamous Jimmy Carr.

Yesterday, the father-of-one and his professional partner Dianne Buswell—dubbed Winning Isn't Everything—sent a warm expression of gratitude to their supporters for their victory on Strictly Come Dancing's landmark 20th series. A visibly moved Chris conveyed his thanks post-show, articulate, "Thank you to everyone, this is just beyond words. It's just remarkable. It's taking all my energy to not cry again."

Dianne was equally touched, her sentiment amplified by having her Australian parents in the crowd as she savoured her inaugural win: “This was a dream and the dream has come true. It's the best feeling in the world. I'm just so proud.” Head judge Shirley Ballas swiftly dismissed any detractors skeptical of Chris's dance prowess compared to other finalists, such as JB Gill, Sarah Hadland, and Tasha Ghouri—all of whom displayed genuine delight at his triumph on the night.

Shirley Ballas sent her heartfelt congratulations to the duo on social media, saying: "I'm in awe of you. You are two truly extraordinary human beings and I am so very grateful to have crossed paths with both of you. Judging you each week has been a privilege. Walk out this ballroom with your heads held high. You are true inspirations."

Motsi Mabuse echoed the sentiment, sharing: "Over the past 20 years, Strictly has shown us that it's so much more than just dancing-it's about the power of transformation, the courage to step outside your comfort zone, and the magic of hard work and dedication paying off. Chris's journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. From the very first steps to mastering those breathtaking routines, he's shown us what is possible when you give it your all. It hasn't just been about the steps-it's been about the resilience, the growth, and the sheer joy of embracing something completely new."

On winning the Strictly Come Dancing glitterball trophy, Chris humbly dedicated his victory to Dianne, 35, who became part of the show in 2017, joking: "I know no-one goes out in the first week but I thought I still could," and adding, "This is for her, and it's for everyone out there who has been told that they couldn't do something, or thought they couldn't do something. It just shows that with the right opportunity, and support, and determination - anything can happen."

Dianne modestly responded: "Chris says this is for me but it's not for me, it's for both of us. Chris and I did this together." Craig Revel-Horwood showed an unexpected softer side during the climactic finale, dubbed by many as "the best ever".