Chris McCausland to Deliver Powerful Disability Rights Message in Channel 4’s Alternative Christmas Address
[City, State] – December 23, 2024 – This Christmas, channel 4 is breaking tradition with its annual Alternative Christmas message, and the voice delivering this year’s message is sure to resonate deeply. Comedian Chris McCausland, fresh off his groundbreaking win on strictly Come Dancing, will use the platform to passionately advocate for an end to discrimination against disabled people.
McCausland’s victory on Strictly – a historic moment as the first blind contestant to lift the glitterball trophy – captivated the nation and earned him praise as a program “saviour.” Now, he’s poised to deliver a message that extends far beyond the dance floor, taking his place in a tradition started in 1993 as a counterpoint to the monarch’s annual televised address.
The speech promises a unique blend of humor and heartfelt conviction. McCausland will begin with a relatable and playful metaphor: his love for mince pies. “I don’t care if they’re the posh ones or the cheap ones, I don’t care if they’re the big ones or those tiny little dinky ones, whether it’s got a solid top or a lattice crown,” he’ll declare. “I will never discriminate against any sort of mince pie, all of them are equal to me and will no doubt meet the same undignified end as I try and fit it all in my mouth in one go.”
But the lighthearted opening quickly transitions to a serious call for change. McCausland will directly address the systemic disadvantages faced by disabled people in the UK, highlighting the urgent need for increased funding and support for the government’s Access to Work scheme. This scheme provides crucial assistance to individuals with disabilities or health conditions seeking employment, but is currently grappling with a notable backlog.
The statistics are stark: the disability employment rate in the UK currently stands at 53%, a considerable gap compared to the 81.6% employment
