The reason Chris McCausland agreed to appear on Strictly Come Dancing
"Normalise the thing people have stigma or judgment about”
This week, Strictly Come Dancing champion Chris McCausland appeared on his friend Pete Wicks’ podcast Man Made. He opened up about masculinity, emotional avoidance and how he built resilience while gradually losing his sight over the span of 30 years.
The Rayo Original podcast, which has returned for season two, sees Pete chat to his friends in entertainment and beyond to unpack modern masculinity. They talk openly about the traits that define them, the moments they’ve got it wrong, and changing perceptions of masculinity. No topic is off limits.
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What do Chris and Pete talk about?
Why Chris went on Strictly Come Dancing in 2024
Chris shared that the show wanted a blind contestant and although he was nervous, he didn’t want it to be anyone else. “I was terrified I’d be rubbish and if I was rubbish it would do no one any good,” he told Pete.
But the reason he went on the show wasn’t to be a role model; it was to educate and prove to audiences how much is possible for people with disabilities.
“If I could make people forget I was blind on that show, then it normalises it,” Chris said. “There’s no bigger thing that you can do than normalise the thing people have stigma or judgment about. The biggest value in my position isn’t really being able to be a role model, inspire other people who might come from a similar background or overcome similar obstacles to me. It’s about representing people and educating everybody else.”
How men hide behind productivity
When it comes to the relationship between men and emotions, Chris told Pete that “the best thing about being a man is you can hide from productivity”. He added, “I’m not saying it’s the right thing … I think evolutionarily, I feel comfortable and safe doing that.” Like many others, Chris discussed how he finds solace in work and being able to provide for his family.
When asked if being funny was a defence mechanism, Chris said that he “used comedy before I was a comic, so it’s obviously a mechanism for avoidance, coping and self-modulation”. He added jokingly that he “finds other people’s emotions difficult because I want to fix them … like a leaky tap.”
How he coped with a deteriorating condition and his thoughts on confidence
Chris lost his sight gradually over thirty years, an experience which he says was frustrating but easier than losing his sight in an instant. “You become immune to negative emotions," he shared. "It becomes something that just happens in the background that you've got to come to terms with."
He never lost his confidence; it was actually stand-up comedy that first tested his nerves, a career he only got into after a dare. Chris and Pete speak in detail about how many young men today are struggling with confidence, putting this down to a lack of experience and a growing toxic online environment.
How can I listen to the new season of Pete Wicks: Man Made?
Season two is out now, with new episodes every Wednesday on Rayo, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music or wherever you get your podcasts.
Can I still catch up on season one?
Of course! You can still find the first season of Pete Wicks: Man Made on all the usual channels including Rayo.
How can I stay up to date?
Follow @ManMadePod on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok for all the latest updates.