Chris McCausland's warning to Strictly bosses after Samba performance

October 28, 2024, marked a challenging evening for comedian Chris McCausland during his participation in BBC's Strictly Come Dancing. Performing in the UK, he and professional partner Dianne Buswell showcased a Samba routine to 'Stayin Alive' by The Bee Gees. The couple faced significant pressure being assigned to open the show, a position that left McCausland feeling panicked and concerned about forgetting the dance steps. Despite their enthusiasm, the performance did not fare well, resulting in their first appearance at the bottom of the leaderboard with a score of 26 out of 40. Judges provided varying critiques, acknowledging the fun aspect of the routine but also highlighting how difficult McCausland found it. Their comments ranged from noting his “overcooked” bounce to suggesting improvements in posture and upper body stretch. As McCausland discussed the performance with It Takes Two host Fleur East, he admitted to a bad experience, stating that being first made him incredibly anxious. He expressed that the routine went wrong as he let his nervousness affect his performance, causing him to overcompensate with enthusiasm, which was not favored in the Samba. This reflected a broader tension within the competition, where performance order significantly impacts contestants' experiences. Consequently, McCausland issued a strict warning to the show's producers about not wanting to open the show again, emphasizing how adverse the experience was for him.