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Comedian Chris McCausland is to deliver Channel 4An alternative Christmas message in 2024 and a call to end discrimination against people with disabilities.
Earlier this month, the TV star, 47, became the first blind person to win the popular BBC One competition series Strictly Come Dancing.
In his speech, an alternative to the monarch’s annual televised address, he will reflect on his victory and say that disabled people are “often some of the most resilient, creative and determined people you will ever meet”.
The comic will open by apologizing to viewers for catching him “with a bite of mince pie”, before using his love of the festive treat as a metaphor for equality.
“I don’t care if they’re fancy or cheap, I don’t care if they’re big or tiny, whether they have a solid top or a lattice crown,” he says.
“I will never discriminate against any type of mince pie, they are all equal to me and will no doubt meet the same undignified end as I try to cram them all into my mouth in one go.”
He will add: “Discrimination is never a good thing. Well, I mean sometimes, I guess. Many, many years ago before I got into comedy, I applied to be a spy for MI5.
“I made it to the last 30 out of 3,000 applicants. The first 1% of potential spies this country had to offer before they decided no, a blind spy wasn’t what they were looking for, but, you know, I think they had a point.
“I think sometimes discrimination can be vital to the security of the nation, but usually we can do better.”
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According to the Government, the employment rate for people with disabilities in the UK was 53% in the second quarter of 2024, compared to 81.6% for people without disabilities.
Referring to the figures he cites, McCausland will say: “Is it discrimination? Well, I’d say it is, so let’s try to fix it, shall we? I think the government can commit to something better than what it is already doing.
“Access to Work is a vital government service that provides disabled people with support in the workplace and access to technology.
“It’s wonderful that it exists, but I believe there are not enough resources.
“I’ve heard too many stories of people with disabilities who have secured a job, only to have to wait too long to get the support they need.”
I have heard too many stories of people with disabilities who have secured a job, only to have to wait too long to get the support they need.
Chris McCausland
McCausland will also argue that waiting times for people with Access To Work, the government’s support scheme which helps people with health problems into work, “need to be shorter”.
“Delays in this service rob us of our confidence, our dignity and our purpose in the workplace, and I think it probably risks the employer’s desire to hire anyone else in the future who might need adjustments,” he explains.
“People with disabilities are often some of the most resilient, creative and determined people you will ever meet.
“We have to be in everyday life and that makes us valuable people in the team. We can even win national dance competitions, just saying.”
McCausland will add that “disability is everywhere” and say: “There are only two kinds of people in this world. Those of us who are disabled, and those of us who are not disabled…yet.”
People with disabilities are often some of the most resilient, creative and determined people you will ever meet.
Chris McCausland
Making a toast, he will then say “Merry Christmas” and ask viewers to “treat everyone equally, as I treat my mince pies”.
First broadcast in 1993, the channel’s annual program served as an alternative to the monarch’s annual televised address and aims to convey a message to viewers about the year’s events.
In previous years, the message has been delivered by a diverse selection of presenters, including former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, actor and TV presenter Stephen Fry, whistleblower Edward Snowden, former Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow and actor Danny Dyer.
In 2022, one of the world’s most advanced robots gave a speech that was entirely generated by AI.
McCausland’s alternative Christmas message will be broadcast on Channel 4 at 4.50pm on Christmas Day.