'I'm a dance expert, here are the secret cues Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell use'

Comedian Chris McCausland has become Strictly Come Dancing's first blind contestant as a dance expert reveals how professional Dianne Buswell helps him learn the moves

Chris McCausland has impressed the Strictly Come Dancing judges so much, he is now favourite to win.

The comedian, 47, is the BBC dance competition's first blind contestant and has wowed fans on the dancefloor with his pro partner, Dianne Buswell. They have already performed an energetic cha cha to the Beatles' Twist and Shout and the Foxtrot to Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy by The Tams.

When asked how she was going to teach Chris the steps to the show's intricate dances, Dianne, 35, initially admitted she "didn't have a clue" during the series' launch show. However, it appears the duo have cracked the code as they dazzle together on the dancefloor, leaving harsh Strictly judges and dance teachers across the nation stunned.

Rashmi Becker, who runs ballroom dancing classes for blind people at Step Change Studios, was even left "blown away". She revealed exactly how Dianne and Chris would have been able to learn to dance together. Rashmi believes Chris would have used physical cues from Dianne to work out where to move.

She then would have physically positioned Chris so he knew where to be. It all amounts to a final performance that consists of a careful description of how Chris should move, how his movements should feel and repetition to build muscle memory. Rashmi told the Guardian that Chris moved confidently on the dancefloor as she believes he familiarised himself with it.

Before her own dance classes, Rashmi lets her students walk around the space to understand the layout. Sighted instructors would describe directions as well as what is located where. For the live shows, Rashmi thinks Chris would listen even more closely to the music than a sighted person.

She added to the publication: “To those of us with sight, we learn visually, and we pick up visual cues. So to be able to do the tricks and stunts he did requires a really good understanding of timing and rhythm and understanding that movement and connection with his partner, so for his first week he did brilliantly.”

Dianne previously explained on the show how she has been getting Chris to learn the footwork. Ahead of taking to the dance floor for the first time, the Aussie pointed out: "I can't show him what something needs to look like." Explaining by putting Chris' hands on her body, he can "feel" what he "should be doing", she continued: "I've found if Chris places his hand on my body and feels how my arms and my legs are moving, then he instantly gets an idea of what he should be doing."

Earlier in the week, Chris revealed his incredible training regime and shared insight into how he perfects his dance moves despite being blind. "I have to have a little breather, and start in my own time,” he explained. “We have to do that thing like they do on the planes. They don't just take off, they have a little checklist. They cross-check the doors, make sure the seats are upright, the blinds are up. I have to go through my checklist in my head - doors to manual. OK, Di?"

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