Strictly star Chris McCausland compares rehearsal to Lethal Weapon 2 toilet bomb scene

Chris McCausland’s explosive cha cha cha was a hit on Strictly, but the blind comic said preparing to start the routine was like the toilet bomb scene in Lethal Weapon 2.

In the film, Mel Gibson’s police officer character helps save his partner by throwing him from a booby-trapped toilet seat on the count of three.

Chris, 47, joked that he and his dance partner Dianne Buswell went through the same sort of tension before every dance. He said: “I have to have a little breather, and start in my own time.

“Every time we start, it’s like that scene in Lethal Weapon where they’re in the bathroom and there’s a bomb, ‘Do we go on the three or the one?’.”

READ MORE: Shoppers shocked by 'super comfortable' affordable mattress on Amazon

Chris admitted he felt “relief” to complete his dance, possibly because they got through it without Dianne, 35, accidentally kicking him in the face, which she had done in rehearsals.

He said they had worked out a checklist of preparations to go though before the start of every routine.

Chris said: “We have to do that thing like they do on the planes. They don’t just take off, they have a little checklist. They cross check the doors, make sure the seats are upright, the blinds are up.

“I have to go through my checklist in my head – doors to manual. OK Di?” The pair titled their team “Winning Isn’t Everything” after Dianne’s dad revealed she had little faith when she told him who she was partnered with.

But they were called “fabulous” after they performed the cha cha cha to Beatles hit Twist & Shout, and were awarded 23 points from the judges.

Anton Du Beke said: “That was one of the most extraordinary things I’ve ever seen in my entire life.” Head judge Shirley Ballas said: “I’m quite shocked and very emotional – fabulous.”

Chris drew criticism from Craig Revel Horwood, but told him: “Do you know what, Craig, I am literally too knackered to care.” After the show, Chris said: “The relief to get through this on live TV was overwhelming.”

One viewer commented: “I cried all the way through Chris McCausland’s routine. He has never seen any of the dances or the colours of Strictly, but he brought so much joy & spirit.”

Bookies have now slashed his odds from 14/1 to 7/2, putting him alongside frontrunners, JLS singer JB Gill and Amy Dowden, who topped the leader board on Saturday night.

They scored 31 points for their waltz to When I Need You by Leo Sayer. Amy, 34, who missed out on having a celebrity partner last year because of her cancer treatment, said: “I am so happy I could burst.” Head judge Shirley told her: “Amy, you are home where you belong.”

Welsh opera singer Wynne Evans, best known for his GoCompare ads, danced a samba to Help Yourself by fellow Welshman Tom Jones, scoring 26 points with Katya Jones.

Zara McDermott, a contestant last year, and boyfriend Sam Thompson, posted their support for reality star Pete Wicks, who danced a paso doble with Jowita Przystal to Breathe by The Prodigy, scoring 17 points.