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No one mentioned the ongoing BBC investigation and the inevitable shadow it cast over the launch of Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday night.
But new contestant Chris McCausland used it as an unlikely platform to reference Britain’s faltering National Health Service and the ongoing battle to get an in-person doctor’s appointment.
The blind comedian is among fifteen new celebrities taking part in the twenty-second season of the long-running show, which is currently under investigation amid allegations of behind-the-scenes misconduct.
But while the chaos unleashed by former contestant Amanda Abbington and her allegations of backstage harassment were brushed aside on Saturday, McCausland, 47, took a dig at fellow competitor Dr Punam Krishnan.
Krishnan, 41, a locum doctor and former BBC Scotland presenter, was discussing her hectic work schedule with the show’s presenter Tess Daly after being paired with professional dancer Gorka Marquez, when McCausland intervened.
Chris McCausland has used Strictly Come Dancing as an unlikely platform to reference Britain’s National Health Service and the ongoing battle to get an in-person doctor’s appointment.
McCausland poked fun at fellow competitor Dr. Punam Krishnan when their professional dance partners were revealed during Saturday night’s launch show.
“Dr Punam, you will still be working as a GP whilst working on Strictly,” said Daly. “So I imagine you will have to get a bit creative with the old multi-tasking.”
“I have to be!” she replied. “The days are very long and I am a very literal student.”
Showing off her high-heeled court shoes, Krishnan, whose main focus is podiatry, added: “Yes, it’s all about feet now. So, over the years, all I’ve heard is that blisters and blisters prevent dancing.”
‘Creams, plasters, whatever, I have it and if it works, maybe I’ll share it.’
The admission prompted McCausland to joke: “Punam, can I just say that none of us can believe we’ve ever managed to get in the same room as a GP?”
The comment prompted a mix of laughter and gasps, with TV presenter Pete Wicks left gaping at the comedian’s light-hearted joke.
However, the apparent prank was well-received online with viewers praising the comedian, who performed alongside Australian dancer Dianne Buswell, for his honesty.
On X, formerly Twitter, one approving viewer wrote: “I was waiting for someone to make a joke or comment about seeing a GP… yeah Chris.”
Krishnan, a locum doctor, was discussing her hectic work schedule with the show’s host Tess Daly after being paired with Gorka Marquez, when McCausland intervened.
Punam, can I just say that none of us can believe we’ve managed to get in the same room as a GP? she said as her professional dance partner Dianne Buswell looked on.
The apparent prank was well-received online, with viewers praising the comedian, who performed alongside Australian dancer Dianne Buswell, for his honesty.
While a second added: ‘Chris is on fire with the GP joke.’
Elsewhere, a third wrote: “Chris and his comment about being in the same room as a GP. He just won #Strictly.”
Clearly in agreement, a fourth joked: “@chrismccausland has already won. @TessDaly and @ClaudiaWinkle should watch out, I think next year’s hosting slot is definitely up for grabs.”
After a scandal-plagued year amid an ongoing investigation into misconduct at the BBC, the show returned in full swing on Saturday night as loyal viewers tuned in.
Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday 21 September on BBC1.
