Chris McCausland earns his first perfect score in Strictly final

Comedian Chris McCausland has earned his first perfect score during the 2024 final of Strictly Come Dancing.

Viewers will find out on Saturday which of the four finalists – comedian Chris McCausland, Miranda actress Sarah Hadland, Love Island star Tasha Ghouri and JLS singer JB Gill – will lift the glitterball trophy after a public vote.

Becoming tearful after his final routine, McCausland hugged his partner Dianne Buswell and said he was a “mess”.

Judge Motsi Mabuse said he was not just an inspiration for the blind community, but “a role model for each and every one of us”.

Finalists (left to right) JB Gill and Lauren Oakley, Aljaz Skorjanec and Tasha Ghouri, Vito Coppola and Sarah Hadland, Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell (Guy Levy/BBC/PA)PA Media - Guy Levy

Head judge Shirley Ballas rose from her seat to give Buswell a hug and describe her as an “amazing teacher”.

Craig Revel Horwood says his “eyes opened” after visiting the studio to see McCausland and Buswell perform, and read out a Christmas card to the comedian, describing him as a “light that shines for all to see”.

The couple were given a perfect score of 40 points for repeating their favourite dance of the series, a waltz to You’ll Never Walk Alone by Gerry and the Pacemakers.

Ghouri’s American smooth to Someone You Loved by Lewis Capaldi, and show dance to Sing, Sing, Sing by Benny Goodman, both earned 40 points from the judges.

Craig Revel Horwood called her “Broadway ready” after she covered a variety of dance styles, including foxtrot and quickstep, during the Sing, Sing, Sing routine.

Similar 10s across the board were given to Gill for his  samba to Mas Que Nada, by Sergio Mendes, and Viennese waltz to Let’s Go Fly A Kite from Mary Poppins.