Strictly: Partially sighted woman praises blind contestant news

Kirsty said she was “really delighted” to see Chris McCausland sign up for Strictly, adding: “He’s amazing anyway, the way he puts things into perspective but in a funny way. I think it’s going to be a really good show and he’s going to learn a lot.

“Last year they had audio description, which was fantastic, and then this year having a blind contestant. It really shows the inclusivity Strictly are trying to portray.”

She added that “visually impaired people are the best problem solvers” which she thought would give McCausland a good chance in the competition.

“I’ll be interested to see how he adapts the different moves, especially as the time goes on and the dances increase in intensity,” she said.

“It’s going to be really funny as well as insightful.”

National disability charity, Sense, also welcomed the Strictly line-up news, calling it a “pivotal moment” for disability representation.

BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing is set to return this autumn, with new safeguarding measures in place following complaints of abusive behaviour towards contestants on the show.

Welsh professional dancer Amy Dowden is set to return to the line-up, following her cancer diagnosis and treatment which prevented her from taking part last year.