BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell 'covered in bruises' after tough week

Comedian Chris McCausland and his professional dance partner, Dianne Buswell, have revealed that they have been left covered in bruises this week as they trained for Strictly Come Dancing

Strictly Come Dancing's Chris McCausland has revealed he's covered in bruises following intense rehearsals. The comedian and his professional dance partner, Dianne Buswell, have found this week particularly challenging, leaving them both a bit battered.

Speaking on the Strictly spin-off show, It Takes Two, Chris shared that they've both sustained injuries while rehearsing their Salsa routine for this week. He didn't mince words when describing the past week as the toughest since joining the show, but remains determined to nail the routine.

Chatting with host Janette Manrara, Chris said: "It's been intense. There has been more lifts in it than Canary Wharf! There are tricks and lifts and we are both covered in bruises."

He then pointed out Dianne's legs, revealing she had to use body makeup to cover her bruises. Chris quipped: "She's had to use make-up to cover up all over her legs so it doesn't look like I've been beating her up. It has been full-on."

Despite the injuries, Dianne confirmed their training is progressing well, reports the Mirror.

Chris made history this year as the first blind contestant on Strictly Come Dancing. The TV star, who lost his sight at 22 due to a hereditary condition called retinitis pigmentosa, has been hailed as an inspiration.

The National Eye Institute states that early signs of the condition include loss of peripheral and night vision, eventually leading to vision loss and blindness. The organisation explains that retinitis pigmentosa causes a gradual breakdown of retinal cells, resulting in vision loss, and currently, there is no cure.

In an interview with iNews last year, Chris discussed his condition, stating: "My grandmother had it, and my mum. Basically, I'd been going blind very slowly since I was born, and so didn't even really notice it happening. Like the frog in the pan of boiling water."

He also shared his experience of living with blindness, saying: "They say that when you lose your sight, your hearing gets better. It doesn't. But you do pay more attention to it. So when you're sat at a beach resort, and you're hot, and you can't see what's around you, then you just end up concentrating on how hot you actually are. I suffer more for it."