Paul Merson and Chris McCausland are what Strictly is all about
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Neither of them managed to make it into the top five on the leaderboard. One received a comment that his fingers resembled bananas, while the other was criticized for lacking any technique. Despite this, Chris McCausland and Paul Merson were undoubtedly the funny, clumsy stars of week two on Strictly.
As the most dazzling competition on television made its comeback to BBC One for its second live episode this season, the atmosphere was electric. All 15 celebrities and their professional partners were feeling the pressure, knowing that they were about to face the first public vote. No one wanted to endure the embarrassment of being the first to go home. However, former footballer Merson and comedian McCausland—the show’s inaugural blind contestant—eased the tension with their playful dance moves, sharp wit, and full dedication to the performance.
Fans were really looking forward to Merson’s return to the dance floor after his week one performance—a wild American Smooth set to the football anthem "Vindaloo" by Fat Les, which the judges described as "very unique and special." And he did not disappoint. Merson and his professional partner Karen Hauer performed a Salsa to "Fireball" by Pitbull. Picture Merson in leopard print pants, brandishing barbecue tongs and executing a quirky move that involved a sort of thrust-jump towards Hauer, all while wearing a confused grin. It was truly impressive. However, there was a slightly awkward moment when Craig Revel Horwood made a joke about Merson's drink prop at the beginning of the dance supposedly boosting his confidence. Merson, who has faced challenges with alcoholism, looked down and responded, “I don’t drink,” which made the moment uncomfortable.
However, it was McCausland who brought the humor shortly after. After Revel Horwood gave Merson a disappointing score of two, McCausland remarked, "Based on what's happening, I think Craig's less aware than I am." Claudia Winkleman couldn't contain her laughter and had to ask the producers for a brief moment before continuing with the show.
McCausland brought even more delight with his Foxtrot alongside Dianne Buswell, dancing to "Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy" by The Tams. The comedian, who lost his vision at 22 due to a hereditary disorder known as retinitis pigmentosa, received an enthusiastic standing ovation from an emotional audience. Tess Daly exclaimed, "Everyone in this room is on their feet!" and added, "Wow, you must be quite the popular guy." His humble reply was simply, "It’s a lot, isn’t it?" Head judge Shirley Ballas praised Buswell, stating that her teaching methods are "extraordinary and exceptional." This recognition is impressive, especially considering that during a recent press event, McCausland mentioned they were "winging it" and uncertain about how his training would unfold. Their collaboration is truly remarkable and deeply touching.
The joking carried on behind the scenes as the performer from Liverpool commented, “I’m not pleased because they scheduled me to go on just 10 minutes before the Liverpool match wraps up. That means half of Liverpool will be focused on the game. That’s half of my main audience!”
Absolutely! Tasha Ghouri, the former Love Island contestant, is currently leading the combined rankings with 65 points. McCausland is in sixth place with 52 points, while Merson is in 14th with 32 points. Let's keep our fingers crossed that fan votes can keep them in the running. While they may not have the most impressive dance moves or the sharpest footwork, they embody what Strictly is really about: having fun and growing along the way.
