Chris McCausland discusses the true reason he won't be doing the Strictly Come Dancing tour
He's the first winner not to take part
Earlier this month comedian Chris McCausland became the 23rd winner of Strictly Come Dancing with his professional dance partner Dianne Buswell. After fighting off competition from the likes of JB Gill, Tasha Ghouri, and Sarah Hadland, Chris and Dianne ultimately took the Glitterball Trophy.
Not long after winning the famous trophy, the comedian joined Fleur East, James and Matt on Hits Radio to talk about Strictly, his upcoming tour and his brand new Christmas film with Lee Mack.
Following the excitement of the show, it is usual for the winner to take part in the show's annual UK tour, where the contestants and pros show off their amazing dance moves up and down the country.
However, on this occasion, Chris, who became the first blind contestant to take part in the show, will not be joining the others on the tour. Explaining his thoughtful reason for not joining the show, the comedian revealed he's already booked up early next year for his own tour, and didn't want to move his dates for a second time.
Speaking to Fleur, James and Matt, while promoting his new Christmas film with Lee Mack, Chris said: "I started it (his tour) earlier this year and then I was meant to be back on the road in September and we actually moved a load of dates from September to November to do Strictly and we put them in January and February and when we moved it, everybody you know my team, the Strictly team, everybody knew it was happening. Everyone went great, brilliant, and I don't think anyone thought...
"Nobody thought I would get anywhere near that tour and there we are, and it's a shame, because I would have done it and it would have been loads of fun, and I've had so much fun doing this with Dianne, but I can't move the same dates again.
"It was just never a consideration, when the dates got moved, and there we are, but what can you do? I done a lot of dancing haven’t I?"
This week is busy for Chris, as not only has he just won Strictly, his new Christmas film with fellow comedian Lee Mack is due for release on 22nd December. Bad Tidings is a film about two neighbours played by Chris and Lee, who don't get along, but have to work together to solve a crime in their street.
Speaking about their new film, Chris explained: "It's me and Lee trying to take down a family of criminals on Christmas Eve, there's a lot of stunts, there's a lot of action, we did our own stunts didn't we? Apart from a couple."
He then went on to recount the time he had to smack Lee in the face for a stunt, a number of times.
"(In the film) I smack Lee in the face," Chris explained. "The only way we could do it was I had to smack Lee in the face! So, the sixth time, smacking Lee in the face the director came over... 'How many more of these have you got you Lee?' (He said) 'I reckon I can do two!'"
Lee added: "The gag was I go 'High five' and he can't see my hand and hits me in the face, but the thing is, a good old slap in the face I can take that. What I can't take is the fingers in the eye, and the fingers up the nostrils. And the thing is a slap in the face from a man who can't see the face, hurt a lot more from someone who can judge it."
Bad Tidings is available to watch on Sky Max from 22nd December.
Take a look at other festive films to watch over the next week:
This Time Next Year
Minnie and Quinn are born on the same day, one minute apart. Their lives may begin together, but their worlds couldn't be more different. Years later they find themselves together again. Maybe it's time to take a chance on love.
Release date: Out now
Meet Me Next Christmas
In pursuit of a fairytale romance with the man of her dreams, Layla must race through New York City to get her hands on the hottest ticket in town: the sold out Pentatonix Christmas Eve Concert.
Release date: Out now
Hot Frosty
Two years after losing her husband, Kathy magically brings a handsome snowman to life! Through his naïveté, the snowman helps Kathy to laugh, feel and love again, as the two fall for each other just in time for the holidays...and before he melts.
Release date: Out now
The Merry Gentlemen
To save her parents' small-town performing venue, a former big-city dancer decides to stage an all-male, Christmas-themed revue.
Release date: Out now
Our Little Secret
Starring Lindsay Lohan, two resentful exes are forced to spend Christmas under the same roof after discovering that their current partners are siblings.
Release date: Out now
That Christmas
Based on the charming trilogy of children's books by beloved multi award-winning writer/director Richard Curtis, That Christmas follows a series of entwined tales about family and friends, love and loneliness, and Santa Claus making a big mistake, not to mention an enormous number of turkeys! This heartwarming comedy from Locksmith Animation marks Curtis' first foray into animation, serving as the film's writer and executive producer, and also the feature directorial debut of renowned animation veteran Simon Otto. Nicole P. Hearon and Adam Tandy are producers.
Release date: Out now
Black Doves
Set against the backdrop of London at Christmas, Black Doves is a sharp, action-filled, and heartfelt story of friendship and sacrifice. It follows Helen Webb (Keira Knightley), a quick-witted, down-to-earth, dedicated wife and mother — and professional spy. For 10 years, she's been passing on her politician husband's secrets to the shadowy organization she works for: the Black Doves. When her secret lover Jason (Andrew Koji) is assassinated, her spymaster, the enigmatic Reed (Sarah Lancashire), calls in Helen's old friend Sam (Ben Whishaw) to keep her safe.
Release date: Out now
Carry On
An action movie set at Christmas time... We are getting serious Die Hard vibes! Starring Taron Egerton, a young TSA agent fights to outsmart a mysterious traveller who blackmails him into letting a dangerous package slip onto a Christmas Eve flight.
Release date: Out now
Scrooge: A Christmas Carol
Produced by Timeless Films in association with Axis Studios and directed by Stephen Donnelly, Charles Dickens' ageless legend is reborn in this supernatural, time-travelling, musical adaptation of the definitive Christmas story. With his very soul on the line, Scrooge has but one Christmas Eve left to face his past and build a better future. Featuring re-imagined songs from the legendary and two-time Academy Award winner Leslie Bricusse OBE, Scrooge: A Christmas Carol is one for a new generation to sing.
Release date: Out now
Single All The Way
Desperate to avoid his family's judgment about his perpetual single status, Peter (Michael Urie) convinces his best friend Nick (Philemon Chambers) to join him for the holidays and pretend that they're now in a relationship. But when Peter's mother (Kathy Najimy) sets him up on a blind date with her handsome trainer James (Luke Macfarlane)— the plan goes awry.
Release date: Out now
Love Hard
An LA girl, unlucky in love, falls for an East Coast guy on a dating app and decides to surprise him for the holidays, only to discover that she's been catfished. This lighthearted romantic comedy chronicles her attempt to reel in love.
Release date: Out now
Holidate
Sloane (Emma Roberts) and Jackson (Luke Bracey) hate the holidays. They constantly find themselves single, sitting at the kids table, or stuck with awkward dates. But when these two strangers meet one particularly bad Christmas, they make a pact to be each other's "holidate" for every festive occasion throughout the next year. With a mutual disdain for the holidays, and assuring themselves that they have no romantic interest in the other, they make the perfect team. However, as a year of absurd celebrations come to an end, Sloane and Jackson find that sharing everything they hate may just prove to be something they unexpectedly love.
Release date: Out now
Falling for Christmas
A newly engaged, spoiled hotel heiress (Lindsay Lohan) gets into a skiing accident, suffers from total amnesia and finds herself in the care of a handsome, blue-collar lodge owner (Chord Overstreet) and his precocious daughter in the days leading up to Christmas.
Release date: Out now
The Boss Baby Christmas Bonus
Christmas Eve takes a twisty turn when the Boss Baby accidentally swaps places with one of Santa's elves and gets stranded in the North Pole.
Release date: Out now
Christmas Full of Grace
After discovering a betrayal, Carlinhos takes a fun stranger to accompany him on Christmas. But Graça proves to be a madwoman capable of bringing the traditional family home down.
Release date: Out now
Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas
In this 30-minute special from Aardman, the world's favourite sheep stars in his very own winter's tale. Shaun's seasonal excitement turns to dismay when a farmhouse raid to get bigger stockings for the Flock inadvertently leads to Timmy going missing. Can Shaun get Timmy back before he becomes someone else's present? Prepare for a 'Santastic' adventure as everyone learns the true value of Christmas!
Release date: Out now
A Not So Merry Christmas
After taking a very nasty fall on Christmas Eve, grinchy Chuy blacks out and wakes up one year later, with no memory of the year that has passed. He soon realizes that he's doomed to keep waking up on Christmas Eve after Christmas Eve, having to deal with the aftermath of what his other self has done the other 364 days of the year.
Release date: Out now
Christmas with You
Feeling career burn out, pop star Angelina escapes to grant a young fan's wish in small town New York, where she not only finds the inspiration to revitalize her career but also a shot at true love.
Release date: Out now
A Knight Before Christmas
A medieval English knight is magically transported to the present day where he falls for a high school science teacher who is disillusioned by love.
Release date: Out now
Jingle Jangle
A musical adventure and a visual spectacle for the ages, Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey is a wholly fresh and spirited family holiday event. Set in the gloriously vibrant town of Cobbleton, the film follows legendary toymaker Jeronicus Jangle (Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker) whose fanciful inventions burst with whimsy and wonder. But when his trusted apprentice (Emmy winner Keegan-Michael Key) steals his most prized creation, it's up to his equally bright and inventive granddaughter (newcomer Madalen Mills) — and a long-forgotten invention — to heal old wounds and reawaken the magic within. From the imagination of writer-director David E. Talbert and featuring original songs by John Legend, Philip Lawrence, and Davy Nathan, Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey reminds us of the strength of family and the power of possibility.
Release date: Out now
Sugar Rush: Christmas
It's the present worth waiting for - Sugar Rush Christmas is here! Over six Christmas-themed episodes, the judges help decide which teams should walk away with the $10,000 prize. Sugar Rush Christmas is produced by Magical Elves.
Release date: Out now
Christmas Flow
An unlikely Christmas romance blossoms between a famous rapper and a tenacious journalist; they struggle to make it work despite their differences.
Release date: Out now
Home for Christmas
When love comes knocking, would you be ready? Follow Johanne through another December as she continues her pursuit for eternal, warm, and real love. When her family and the world around her fall apart, how can she still believe in true and everlasting love? Does it even exist and will she find the one for Christmas this year?
Release date: Out now
A Castle For Christmas
Famed author, Sophie Brown (Brooke Shields), travels to Scotland hoping to buy a small castle of her own, but the prickly owner, Duke Myles (Cary Elwes), is reluctant to sell to a foreigner. Working to find a compromise, the pair constantly butt heads, but they just may find something more than they were expecting.
Release date: Out now
Holiday Rush
Popular New York radio DJ Rush Williams (Romany Malco) has been spoiling his four children since they lost their mom (La La Anthony). Unfortunately, the kids share their pricey Christmas lists right when he loses his job. To keep Rush on the air, his producer Roxy Richardson (Sonequa Martin-Green) and his Aunt Jo (Darlene Love) plan to help him buy another station — if the Williams family can downsize fast and embrace a simpler life. In this heartwarming film, a loving father reconnects with his children and opens his heart to love when they all learn that true joy comes from not what you have but who you have around you.
Release date: Out now
Klaus
When Jesper (Jason Schwartzman) distinguishes himself as the postal academy's worst student, he is stationed on a frozen island above the Arctic Circle, where the feuding locals hardly exchange words let alone letters. Jesper is about to give up when he finds an ally in local teacher Alva (Rashida Jones), and discovers Klaus (Oscar winner J.K. Simmons), a mysterious carpenter who lives alone in a cabin full of handmade toys. These unlikely friendships return laughter to Smeerensburg, forging a new legacy of generous neighbors, magical lore and stockings hung by the chimney with care. An animated holiday comedy directed by Despicable Me co-creator Sergio Pablos, KLAUS co-stars Joan Cusack, Will Sasso and Norm Macdonald.
Release date: Out now
A Naija Christmas
Three sons race to fulfil their mother's wish to bring home wives for Christmas, while she battles to plan a Christmas celebration she will always be remembered for.
Release date: Out now
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