Penguin Michael Joseph waltzes off with Strictly Come Dancing winner Chris McCausland's memoir

Comedian and Strictly Come Dancing  winner Chris McCausland has signed with Penguin Michael Joseph to write a memoir due for publication in autumn 2025.

Publishing director Rowland White acquired world rights to the autobiography, which is as yet untitled, through Jacob Howe-Douglas at HD Management, with publication slated for 9th October.

McCausland enjoyed a long career as a stand-up, actor, TV presenter and panel show favourite, before his winning turn on the BBC dance contest Strictly in 2024. 

After growing up in Liverpool and studying at software engineering at Kingston University, Chris McCausland lost his sight in his early 20s. He worked in sales before applying for a job as a spy at MI5. In 2003, he turned his hand to stand-up. 

McCausland said: “I thought Strictly was terrifying but my book has a release date and I haven’t started writing it yet. Don’t worry, I’m going to start right now. It will be really funny, I promise.”

White said: “Like the rest of country, I’ve been both gripped and incredibly moved by Chris and Dianne’s dazzling progress through Strictly.  What had seemed scarcely possible quickly confounded all our preconceptions and expectations. But, of course, Strictly was only the most recent chapter of Chris’ remarkable story. I can’t wait for people to read it all. It is going to be a huge pleasure and privilege for me and the whole team here at MJ to help make that happen.”