Visually impaired Strictly fan gets surprise call

A super fan of Strictly Come Dancing winner Chris McCausland said it was "pretty awesome" to get a surprise phone call from the man himself.

Nine-year-old Cleo, who is visually impaired, had been inspired by McCausland, the first ever blind contestant to feature on the show.

Cleo, from Birmingham, sent him an Instagram message following his victory, wishing him congratulations and saying she wanted to be a dancer herself one day.

The pair were brought together by BBC Radio WM on Thursday, and McCausland said he was sure she too could be on Strictly in the future.

Cleo attends Priestley Smith Specialist School in Great Barr, Sandwell, and says she is McCausland's "biggest fan".

Her favourite dance is the cha-cha-cha, the one with which McCausland introduced himself to the nation alongside his dance partner Dianne Buswell.

Cleo said she watched Strictly most years - except for last year, which she described as "boring" - but added this year's series was special.

"Chris has a visual impairment [and] he knows all the dance steps [even though] he can't see," she said.

When McCausland came on the phone line - a surprise to both Cleo, her family and her headteacher Joanna Garvey - the schoolgirl instantly recognised his voice.

"I've been listening to you talking so wonderfully and so positively and so beautifully," he told her.

"What a pleasure to speak to you Cleo. I'm so glad you enjoyed Strictly and I think your attitude and your positivity is magnificent."

Ms Garvey said McCausland was challenging perceptions and showing her pupils how to break down barriers.

"He has done in a series what we have spent our careers doing," she said. "Demonstrating how resilient, innovative and creative you have to be with a visual impairment.

"It takes a blind person 100 times to learn something that a sighted person can learn just by watching so as teachers we are in awe of Dianne.

"To teach such complex steps of new dances in less than a week is simply mind blowing."

McCausland also issued a message to pupils at and staff at Priestley Smith Specialist School.

"Believe in yourself," he said.

"Things will always seem scary and things will always seem daunting. It's fine to give them a go and it's fine for them to not be perfect. It's fine for things to not work."

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