Chris McCausland has detailed a mishap he and Strictly Come Dancing’s Dianne Buswell suffered ahead of the series’ first live show. The comedian, 47, who is the show’s first blind contestant, performed a cha cha with his professional partner to “Twist and Shout” by The Beatles on Saturday night (21 September).

As this year’s ballroom contest went live for the first time, an epic show saw JB Gill waltz to the top of the leaderboard, Chris McCausland perform cha cha miracles, Paul Merson tuck into a Vindaloo and Toyah Willcox get thoroughly tangoed.

This year’s contestants faced their first Strictly Come Dancing live show – and for the most part, came away victorious. Paul and Karen’s American smooth to Vindaloo was a dance for the ages. Toyah and Neil’s tango was also iconic but for slightly different reasons.

And comedian Chris, who is the show's first-ever blind contestant, was a stand-out star of the night as he performed an impressive Cha Cha to The Beatles' classic Twist and Shout with his professional dance partner Dianne Buswell. READ MORE: BBC Strictly Come Dancing viewers spot 'controversial' audience member as Zara McDermott returns

Strictly Come Dancing star Chris McCausland makes history tonight as the BBC show's first blind contestant - but the comedian's journey to the dance floor hasn't been an easy one.