Chris McCausland has joined Absolute Radio(Image: Tristan Fewings/Getty Images)
Chris McCausland was thrilled as he issued a career announcement. The Scouse comedian has confirmed he is taking the reins on Absolute Radio with a regular Sunday slot.
The 49-year-old shared the news on his Instagram account this afternoon as he announced his show will air at 8am. Sending a message to his co-host Jon Long, he said: “Thrilled to announce I’ll be taking over Sundays at 8am on @absoluteradio alongside my co-host, the very funny, @jonlongstandup – make sure to tune in!”
Fellow comedian and Absolute Radio DJ Jon Richardson said: “Great to have you living next door mate. Welcome!” Josh Widdicombe added: “Yes mate!”.
Fans also took to the comments to share messages of support. A fan named James said: “Amazing news, congratulations and good luck for first show”
Clare added: “Love this Chris. You will be great.” Rachel commented: “Can’t wait to tune in, Chris!” Jacqueline posted: “Looking forward to this.”
Chris spoke to the ECHO in an exclusive interview last year ahead of the release of his autobiography, Keep Laughing. In the book, Chris opened up on his life story in a candid way that he previously wouldn’t have been able to do before his stint on Strictly.
He said: “Two years ago, I would never have talked about this. I always kept a lid on things. Personal things should stay personal. You let people see what you want them to see and you put a front on.”
However, Chris ditched this private standpoint for the autobiography, which tells the story of his beginnings in Liverpool and how he lost his sight in his early 20s because of hereditary eye condition, retinitis pigmentosa,
While confronting a life changing diagnosis could be traumatic to many, the comic said it was cathartic to properly reflect on this period of his life in the autobiography.
He explained how his mum and nan’s experience with the hereditary condition, and the way they brushed it off with humour, helped teach him coping mechanisms that would enable him to come to terms with losing his vision
He said: “Blindness was in my family so it was always just kind of a normal part of life. Things happen and they’re frustrating. You can swear at items of furniture that you bang your head on and lose your patience, but you’ve got to laugh at the daftness of it, otherwise it would eat you alive.”
Chris said laughing in the face of adversity is also something he inherited from his upbringing in Liverpool, as he hailed the community spirit in his home neighbourhood of West Derby. He added: “Liverpool is a funny city.
“What helps is its history. The political history, with tragedy and poverty. All of that has built a city that is colourful and vibrant, that laughs in the face of adversity and uses comedy to get through dark times.
