Scandal-hit Strictly Come Dancing scoops a BAFTA TV Award for Chris McCausland's 'blackout' waltz as triumphant Dianne Buswell calls it a 'story of hope and determination'
Professional dancer Buswell was given short odds of winning the Strictly Come Dancing Glitter Ball after being paired with comedian McCausland, 47, who lost his sight at the age of 22 due to genetic condition retinitis pigmentosa.
But a series of impressive performances, consistently high scores and McCausland's self-deprecating brand of humour culminated in the pair defying critics and lifting the trophy after beating JB Gill, Tasha Ghouri and Sarah Hadland in the series 22 finale.
In front of a full house at London's Royal Festival Hall on Sunday, the feat claimed further accolades by claiming a TV BAFTA - just months after Strictly Come Dancing battled back from a string of very public controversies.
The show won Best TV Moment for McCausland's moving 'blackout' waltz to You'll Never Walk Alone - choreographed to highlight his visual impairment and echo a similar routine performed by deaf contestant Rose Ayling-Ellis in 2021.
While the comic was absent, a triumphant Buswell, 36, was on hand to personally accept the award and show it off backstage in the winners room.
Strictly earned the accolade after beating pivotal scenes from Bridgerton, Gavin & Stacey, Mr. Bates vs The Post Office, Rivals and The Traitors to the award.
Australian dancer Buswell was accompanied by her long-term boyfriend and former Strictly Come Dancing partner Joe Sugg as they greeted photographers on the red carpet earlier that night.
In September, McCausland won plaudits from Strictly viewers by paying tribute to Liverpool - his home city - with a solo waltz before quietly asking Buswell: 'Did I do OK?'
It was a rare moment of sunshine for the show after it pushed ahead with its 22nd series despite being hit with a wave of unsavoury allegations that began in May 2024 with fan favourite Giovanni Pernice accused of backstage bullying.
Pernice quit the show and faced an internal probe that later exonerated him of any wrongdoing after former celebrity partner Amanda Abbington claimed she was left with post traumatic stress disorder as a result of his 'militant approach to training '.
A source told The Sun at the time: 'Gio feels the scrutiny on him has become too much and now is the time to make a fresh start.
'He wants to focus on other TV projects, and feels he's achieved all he can on Strictly, having won the trophy back in 2021 and reaching the final an unprecedented four times.
'He remains adamant he's done nothing wrong other than being a hard taskmaster, but knows his style of training isn't to everyone's liking - especially in this day and age.'
Worse would follow, with Graziano di Prima fired by BBC bosses over claims of 'physically and verbally abusive' behaviour towards celebrity dance partner Zara McDermott.
Addressing his exit from the show, a 'devastated' Graziano later wrote on Instagram: 'I deeply regret the events that led to my departure from Strictly.
'My intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime.
'While respecting the BBC HR process, I acknowledge it's only right for the sake of the show that I step away. I am saddened that I wasn't allowed to offer a quote to the online news stories, and I take on board the sensitivity of the situation.
'There's more to this story that I am unable to discuss at this time, but I am committed to being strong for my family and friends. I wish the Strictly family nothing but success in the future.'
Worse would follow, with Graziano di Prima fired by BBC bosses over claims of 'physically and verbally abusive' behaviour towards celebrity dance partner Zara McDermott
Overlooking the controversy as she accepted the award on behalf of McCausland on Sunday evening, Buswell said: 'In one minute and 30 seconds of a dance, I feel like this told such a story.
'A story of hope, determination, resilience and vulnerability.
'This moment meant so much to the both of us, so I'm just so thrilled that we have this.'
Ending with a comedic message from her former dance partner, she added: 'Chris did have something he wanted me to say, and that is "after 22 years in comedy, he wins a Bafta for dancing"'.
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