Strictly Come Dancing's Chris McCausland's 'really difficult' health struggle revealed by pal

Strictly Come Dancing star Chris McCausland's 'really difficult' health struggle has been revealed by one of his pals.

The comedian became the reality show's first blind contestant this year after contracting the degenerative eye condition retinitis pigmentosa.

The 47-year-old was completely blind by the age of 22 with lifelong pal Kev Matthews - who is also blind - sharing how 'difficult' it was to experience his friend going through that.

He told a BBC Sounds profile: "It was a difficult thing as a friend to see him going through. I lived with him at the time he was losing his sight along with Neil (their friend Neil Churchill).

"We found it really difficult to know how to support him in the right way. But the way he came out of it was just incredible."

Chris, who is dancing with professional dancer Dianne Buswell on the BBC show, is one of the favourite's to win this year's edition with the bookmakers odds tipping him to take home the coveted glitterball.

His prowess on the dance floor has shocked some of his friends, with one commenting: "He's got two left feet. He's never been able to dance.

"This is unbelievably out of his comfort zone but what I will say is I've never met a more determined man.

"I knew when he went on this show he would kill it, and he'd give his all. I'm just totally in awe of him."

Chris and Dianne have won over Strictly fans across the country due to their strong bond and daring routines.

The funnyman revealed to Heat magazine that he didn't have high expectations before entering the show, as he asks Dianne after going through every week, He asks her: "I got away with it, didn't I?"

Appearing in front of the Strictly crowd is no problem though for a blind comedian, with fellow comedian Justin Moorhouse describing how difficult it must have been for Chris when he was first starting out in stand up.

Justin said: "When you're a blind guy and walk on stage in front of 400 or 500 people at the comedy store, and the rabble are rowdy and ready, somebody with all their senses has to be on full alert.

"There's no sense that people feel sorry for him and people thinking 'oh, bless him'."

Chris and Dianne return to BBC One tonight (Saturday, November 2) on Strictly Come Dancing at 6.30pm.