Many fans think the comedian will end up winning this year’s series (Picture: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire)
Strictly Come Dancing 2024 star Chris McCausland – who is currently the favourite to win the show – could cause a headache for bosses if he’s crowned victorious, it’s been claimed.
This weekend, Paul Merson became the latest celebrity to be eliminated from the BBC series, as he and his partner Karen Hauer landed in the dance-off opposite JB Gill and Amy Dowden.
There are now 11 couples left in the running for the Glitterball Trophy, including standout contestant Chris and his professional dance partner Dianne Buswell, who have blown fans away week after week with their performances.
According to bookmakers Ladbrokes, the comedian currently has the strongest chance of winning the competition, with 2/5 odds above Tasha Ghouri with 4/1 odds and Sarah Hadland with 9/1 odds.
However, if Chris, 47, does end up winning the contest, this could pose a problem for next year’s celebrity live tour, as he might not be able to take part.
The live tour, which is due to take place next year between January and February, typically features the winner of the show alongside several of the other celebrity contestants.
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However, next year Chris is due to heading on his 2025 tour Yonks!, with performances taking place across the UK between from January 17 and June 14.
The tour first began earlier this year, with new dates added for 2025 due to ‘phenomenal demand’.
There will also be even more dates added across Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland for autumn 2025, which will go on sale soon, it states on Chris’ website.
A source explained to The Mirror that there might be a chance the comic is unable to do the Strictly live tour given the dates he has planned for his comedy tour.
Referencing judge Craig Revel Horwood, they said: ‘Craig has suggested that all this year’s favourites will be there but that’s not true. How can Chris be in two places at once?
The comic has done stand-up for more than two decades, and has appeared on TV shows including Would I Lie To You?, Have I Got News For You and 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Rex Features/Shutterstock)
The pair’s Movie Week routine was inspired by the 1992 cult classic Wayne’s World (Picture: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire)
‘As things stand, Chris can’t do it because every show on his comedy tour from January 17 clashes.’
A spokesperson for the Strictly live tour told the publication: ‘Casting for the Strictly Live Tour 2025 is still being decided.’
They added that an official announcement about which celebrities and professional dancers are taking part will be made before Christmas this year.
On Saturday night, Chris and Dianne performed a stunning Waltz to Gerry and the Pacemakers’ You’ll Never Walk Alone, achieving a score of 35 with an eight from Craig and nines from the other three judges.
This marked their highest score of the series so far, and just five points away from a perfect 40.
Strictly Come Dancing returns at 6.25pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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