Strictly's Chris McCausland admits he turned down special deal from BBC bosses

Strictly Come Dancing's Chris McCausland has opened up about a unique proposition he received from the show's producers, which he ultimately declined.

The 47-year-old comedian, who is making waves in the current series of Strictly, joined The One Show on Wednesday evening with his dance partner Dianne Buswell.

During their chat with hosts Clara Amfo and Vernon Kay, the pair shared insights into their journey on the popular BBC dance competition, acknowledging the highs and lows they've encountered.

Chris, who has made history as the first visually impaired contestant on Strictly, spoke candidly about his battle with nerves and expressed gratitude for the positive reception their performances have garnered both from those watching at home and the live studio audience.

Clara Amfo probed into how Chris copes with the transition from rehearsal to performance, particularly with the noise from the crowd: "Now when you move from the rehearsals to the dance floor, does the noise of the audience affect your dancing, Chris?"

Chris offered an honest response, detailing the impact of the live audience on his experience: "Yeah it does because when you're training I have a sense of Dianne around me and I've got the space around me," reports the Express.

"But when you've got an audience, they're making a lot of noise it all closes in around you and I can't really hear Dianne at all, so it really makes it very different and that's why I lot of the nerves came from that first episode, I was worried could I do all of this in that environment."

Revealing the proposal he was given, he shared: "They did offer me and say 'Would you like us to ask the audience to remain quiet while you're dancing so it doesn't affect you.' I couldn't think of anything... it was a nice offer but I'd rather go out in a blaze of glory in two weeks than do eight weeks in silence."

"I'd never, you know I'm a comedian, I like an audience reaction. I'd do anything for one! " He quipped. This revelation follows Dianne's disclosure that Chris was anxious during Halloween week and forgot their routine moments before they were set to hit the dance floor.

Chris and Dianne regularly share diary entries of their routines with fans online, with Dianne expressing: "Thank you so much because we were nervous weren't we."

She continued: "He goes 'I can't remember the beginning of the dance'. I said 'yes, you do'. We found a little space because we were like literally seconds from going on."

Strictly Come Dancing returns Saturday at 6:30pm on BBC One.