Strictly's Chris McCausland's forgotten TV role in much-loved kids show resurfaces

Strictly Come Dancing star Chris McCausland, who is partnered with Dianne Buswell, has been impressing fans and judges alike with his moves - but it's not the first time he's appeared on TV

Chris McCausland, known for his witty one-liners and ballroom prowess, has been a familiar face on our screens for longer than you might realise. The 47 year old comedian and actor, who made history as Strictly Come Dancing's first-ever blind contestant, has shown remarkable progress on the dance floor with his professional partner Dianne Buswell.

Last week, their Jive to the Wayne's World Theme earned them a respectable 30 points from the judges and a standing ovation from the audience - a seven-point increase from their week one routine. Now, the pair are set to heat things up with a Salsa to Down Under by Men at Work, as the show introduces its new theme, Icon Week.

While Chris is recognised for his regular appearances on shows like Would I Lie To You or his role as Martin in the popular comedy Not Going Out, fans have only just realised the star's initial venture into acting. From 2006-2007, Chris portrayed the character Rudi in the much-loved CBeebies show Me Too!

READ MORE: Birmingham trains live as fire breaks out next to track between New Street and Wolverhampton

Based in the town of Riverseafingal, Chris was renowned for his vibrant outfits and sang numerous playful songs, teaching children about everything from littering to healthy eating, according to the Express. His IMDB page reveals that Chris appeared in four episodes across season one and two, before securing roles in EastEnders, Krapopolis, Back Chat, and Moving On.

Strictly Come Dancing enthusiasts on Reddit couldn't contain their amusement after stumbling upon decades-old footage of star Chris, prompting comments such as: "It would be hilarious if he redid the routine now.", reports the Mirror.

Another shared: "He's a cracking lad," and yet another fan hailed him: "Absolute legend."

Keen to get the latest celeb news straight to your inbox?

Our Showbiz Newsletter has you covered. Before his rise in showbiz, Chris had markedly different ambitions.

In a Guardian interview last year, he confirmed his intriguing past aspirations, revealing: "Yes. I got down to the last 30 out of 3,000 for MI5 selection."

Unfortunately, his journey was halted by his eyesight, to which he pragmatically responded, "Fair play," acknowledging that it's justifiable as part of ensuring national safety. He explained further that the role involved "It's perfectly acceptable to discriminate for the safety of the nation. The job was identifying and targeting terrorist threats, which obviously you need to do in a limited amount of time... I was like: 'OK, that's reasonable. I don't want that burden around my neck'."

a high-pressure task that requires swift action, saying, "It's perfectly acceptable to discriminate for the safety of the nation. The job was identifying and targeting terrorist threats, which obviously you need to do in a limited amount of time... I was like: 'OK, that's reasonable. I don't want that burden around my neck'."

Catch Strictly Come Dancing every Saturday on BBC One for more dazzling performances.