BBC Strictly Come Dancing star Dianne Buswell left in tears at Chris McCausland just hours before Blackpool

Strictly Come Dancing star Dianne Buswell was left in tears hours before the live Blackpool show after a touching gesture from her partner Chris McCausland. The blind comedian made sure Dianne will not leave the BBC competition empty handed this year.

He gifted her her own glitterball trophy ahead of their time on the famous Blackpool Tower Ballroom floor, with Dianne getting emotional over the present. Dianne shared a photo of the glass trophy she had received from Chris.

It featured a glitterball with the word 'Dance' written inside and a plaque reading: "Dianne Buswell. Best Dance Teacher. SCD 2023."

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Dianne showed how touched she was as she wrote below 'thank you' adding a teary-eyed emoji and three hearts. Chris and Dianne have amazed viewers with their performances on the hit BBC show.

The comedian, 47, is the first blind star to learn to dance on the programme. Chris, who lost his sight by the age of 22 due to the hereditary genetic disorder retinitis pigmentosa, has spoken about the “shame” he felt when he lost his eyesight.

Chris told the Big Issue: “I’d tell my younger self, don’t be so embarrassed, don’t feel such shame. I lost most of my sight in my late teens and early 20s and with it the ability to see the computer monitor, to see in the dark.

“So I also lost the independence that gives you. At that age, you’ve got this desire to be normal. So there was a lot of denial. When you’re losing your sight gradually, there’s never a clear moment when you are forced to deal with it. I’d refuse to be associated with things connected to it, like, ‘I’m not using a stick, I’m going to pretend I can see’.

“But you get into more trouble pretending there’s nothing wrong. It wasn’t until I lost my sight completely that I accepted it. Going through that embarrassment and shame toughened me up, though. Which lent itself well to doing stand-up.”

Last week the star issued an inspiring message to fans on the show as he performed his couple's choice dance, which included a blackout moment inspired by his disability. Chris admitted: "I was asked to do Strictly a few times and I said no because I was scared of it to be honest.

"I realised for me not to do this was quite selfish because I'm lucky enough to get myself to a position where I have these opportunities to represent people. It's not that people with disabilities need inspiring or they need to see themselves on the telly but everyone else does...it's important to show people that more is possible than you would think."