Former student and Strictly finalist Chris McCausland is a 'role model' to pupils, says Hereford college
The 47-year-old attended the Royal National College for the Blind (RNC) in Hereford back in the 90's.
A Herefordshire college, where Strictly Come Dancing finalist Chris McCausland was a student, say he is a real inspiration and an amazing role model to their pupils, ahead of this evening's final.
The 47-year-old attended the Royal National College for the Blind (RNC) in Hereford back in the 90's, and recently visited in 2022 as part of their 150th anniversary celebrations.
Chris lost his sight aged 22 when he was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, and is the first blind contestant in the show's history.
Executive Principal Lucy Proctor says everyone at the college has been following Chris' journey, along with his dance partner Dianne Buswell, every step of the way.
"He's an amazing role model to the students," she said.
"Even before Strictly, he's someone who went on to university, he went into employment, he found his absolute passion in his stand-up in his career as a comedian, he's shown that nothing is going to stop him, and that's a fantastic message for our students.
"He's not someone who's got to the final because he's got a visual impairment, he's somebody who's got to the final because he's an absolutely wonderful dancer and he's a joy to watch."
On whether Chris' journey has motivated any of the students to take up dancing, she added: "We've got students who are learning dance themselves on a Wednesday afternoon, and they've been so inspired.
"By him showing that they can achieve what he's achieving. they can get to the dance floor, they can get to know the moves, it's been a real boost for them."