Chris McCausland

Chris McCausland has a unique observation on life. Many times unique doesn't apply but to Chris it does because all of his observations arrive despite the fact that he is blind. Yes, Chris McCausland is the only professional comedian in the UK who is blind.

Having graduated from Kingston University in 2000 with a degree in software engineering, Chris worked as a web developer until his eye sight deteriorated so much that he had to change direction, and into what better field than stand up comedy.

He started in 2003 and within a year he came third in Channel 4's So You Think You're Funny competition, was runner up in the Laugh Horse New Act of the Year and won the Jongleurs Best Newcomer award.

Although Chris McCausland is blind, it doesn't feature in his material. He says that there's nothing more boring than a fat man doing only fat jokes, so he doesn't do blind jokes so as to connect with the audience better. In fact it's usually limited to a simple disclaimer at the beginning of the show so people don't think he's drunk.

Chris prefers to explore the best way to avoid being eaten by a shark, which soft drinks bears are afraid of and the loopholes that comedy offers.

Those with children, or those who have nothing better to do than watch children's TV, will know Chris from the Cbeebies show Me Too!, in which he plays Rudi the market trader. Chris has filmed 150 episodes of the series, which is also aired on BBC2.

In addition, Chris is a member of Abnormally Funny People, a group of comedians with disabilities. The preparations for an Abnormally Funny People Edinburgh show were filmed for a documentary on BskyB.

When you witness a Chris McCausland show you get something different, and not just because of his disability. Chris knows he has to work harder than most comedians because in his own words “Smilers are no good to me.”

Did You Know?:

Chris McCausland didn't like Die Hard 4. He described it as one long action scene. His favourite type of film is a courtroom drama. Lots of talking.