Tess Daly under fire as BBC Strictly fans spot ‘embarrassing’ remark to Chris McCausland: ‘She is so cringey!’
BBC Strictly Come Dancing host Tess Daly, 55, is dealing with fan fallout following a clumsy remark directed towards Chris McCausland, 47.
The remark came as McCausland, Strictly’s first blind contestant, danced an exciting Quickstep on Saturday’s show.
McCausland and pro dance partner Dianne Buswell, 35, impressed judges with their nautical themed routine – earning 32 points.
Head judge Shirley Ballas and fellow judge Motsi Mabuse gave the couple an eight, while Anton Du Beke lifted the nine paddle and Craig Revell Horwood the seven.
Buswell was overjoyed with her partners routine, cheering and hugging
“You were insanely good,” the Australian pro glowed, adding: “For me, that was your best dance.”
“I couldn’t be prouder. You’re an absolute superstar,” she told McCausland.
After their dance, Daly congratulated the pair as they stood before the judges to hear their thoughts.
However, the 55-year-old presenter made fans “cringe” as she asked McCausland: “Can you see how happy she (Buswell) is with you?!”
Fans were quick to point out that the comment came off a tactless, given that McCausland was blind.
“Did Tess actually just say ‘can you see how happy she is with you’ to Chris. A blind man,” one viewer wrote.
Another quoted the exchange accompanied with a meme featuring a huge crowd face palming.
“She is so cringey!” a third exclaimed in response to the gaffe.
One viewer expressed some empathy with Daly, admitting: “Hahaha, I bet she cringed when she said it. I do stuff like this.”
Other fans felt too much was being made of the blunder.
A viewer described the moment as “potentially embarrassing” but added: “As a severely visually impaired person I find these things hilarious.”
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“He (McCausland) didn’t and won’t take it offensively like you and others are. It’s a word used by everyone just like if someone tells me to a seat. I am a full-time wheelchair user,” a second shared.
A third observed: “I’m sure Chris wasn’t bothered. He said, “see you later” to the judges last week.”
McCausland and Buswell’s routine saw them placed in the bottom three of the Musicals Week leaderboard.
The pair equalled Olympian Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe’s score of 32 while TOWIE star Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystal languished with 26 points.
