Strictly star Chris McCausland ‘went grey’ just minutes before they took to the floor for their first dance, his professional partner Dianne Buswell has revealed.

After impressing with their Cha Cha Cha, the duo have been tipped as favourites to win the competition, with the comedian making history as the show’s first ever blind contestant.

Speaking to Heat Magazine, Chris, 47, and Dianne, 35, reflected on the fear he felt just minutes before they took to the floor for their first dance.

Dianne said: ‘I’d never seen him go that shade of grey in my life. It was ghostly. It terrified me, because were so unsure of how Chris would cope with the audience and the sound.

‘Now, the grey is slowly getting more towards skin tone as the weeks go on, but there’s a slight shade every week.’

Strictly star Chris McCausland 'went grey' just minutes before they took to the floor for their first dance, his professional partner Dianne Buswell has revealed
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Strictly star Chris McCausland ‘went grey’ just minutes before they took to the floor for their first dance, his professional partner Dianne Buswell has revealed

After impressing with their Cha Cha Cha, the duo have been tipped as favourites to win the competition, with the comedian making history as the show's first ever blind contestant
+4
View gallery

After impressing with their Cha Cha Cha, the duo have been tipped as favourites to win the competition, with the comedian making history as the show’s first ever blind contestant

Despite his initial fears, Chris impressed viewers with his dance on the first live show, earning a solid score of 23.

Chris then shared that when he first agreed to take part in the show, his main fear was that he didn’t want to be seen ‘as a calamity,’ or the ‘sympathy vote.’

He added: ‘I said no to this a few times because I just didn’t think I’d be able to do it. I don’t want to be the sympathy vote.

‘I don’t mind being a bad dancer. I don’t mind people laughing at me because I’m a comical dancer, but I didn’t want it to be a calamity because I couldn’t see.’

Last week, Chris and Dianne narrowly avoided the dance-off after finishing bottom of the leaderboard with their Halloween-themed Samba.

This week, the pair will dance a Tango to Rock And Roll All Nite by KISS, as part of the show’s first ever Icons Week.

The bookies currently have Chris and Dianne as the 9/4 favourite to win the series – but if he does it could leave the show in a predicament as he may be unable to do the Strictly live tour.

His comedy show, Yonks, has dates throughout January and February which clash directly with Strictly’s live theatre show.

Chris then shared that when he first agreed to take part in the show, his main fear was that he didn't want to be seen 'as a calamity,' or the 'sympathy vote'
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Chris then shared that when he first agreed to take part in the show, his main fear was that he didn’t want to be seen ‘as a calamity,’ or the ‘sympathy vote’

If he does go on to win the show, many fans would be expecting him to take part in the tour – which the top stars of each series always participate in.

One source told the Mirror: ‘Craig has suggested that all this year’s favourites will be there but that’s not true. How can Chris be in two places at once?

‘As things stand, Chris can’t do it because every show on his comedy tour from January 17 clashes.’

Chris is currently positioned as the firm favourite with Love Island’s Tasha Ghouri next in line with odds of 4/1, followed by Miranda actress Sarah Hadland at 10/1 and EastEnders’ Jamie Borthwick at 16/1.

A spokesperson for Ladbrokes said: ‘Chris McCausland seems to be running away with the competition this year after he extended his lead at the head of the Strictly betting.

‘Tasha is his main rival as things stand, but punters only see one winner.’

It comes after fans were left ‘in tears’ after watching Chris and Dianne‘s ‘perfect’ dance routine last week, stunning viewers with a waltz that paid tribute to Liverpool.