Chris McCausland is currently touring the UK and Ireland with his new stand-up show “Yonks!”, with performances running from April to May 2026. The tour follows his historic win on Strictly Come Dancing 2024, where he became the first blind contestant to lift the Glitterball Trophy . The Chris McCausland tour brings his signature storytelling style to venues including the London Palladium and Dublin’s Vicar Street .
The show, described by promoters as a masterclass in stand-up that has been “yonks in the making,” leans into McCausland’s gift for observational humour rather than relying on a central theme . A review of the tour from the Cambs Times awarded the performance five out of five stars, noting that the comedian openly admits the show has “no theme, just the random thoughts in his head” . That unstructured approach allows his natural conversational rhythm to shine through.
According to that same review, McCausland opens with material about navigating everyday life as a blind man before moving into stories about family, modern technology, and even Arnold Schwarzenegger . The reviewer observed that his disability features prominently but never defines the show, serving instead as a springboard for clever insights . This balance has become a hallmark of his stage presence over two decades of touring.
Another review from Outline Magazine highlighted his ability to make a large venue feel intimate, with jokes that resemble stories told at a pub . The reviewer praised a segment where McCausland urged men in the audience to get their prostate checked, blending serious advice with an anecdote that left the crowd in hysterics . Such moments demonstrate why he is regarded as one of Britain’s most beloved comedians.
The verified tour schedule spans multiple cities across the UK and Ireland. Confirmed dates include Stevenage on April 10, Liverpool on April 11, Folkestone on April 17, Ipswich on April 23, and Dublin on May 2 . The tour concludes with high-profile shows at the London Palladium on May 15, Hull City Hall on May 16, and York Grand Opera House on May 17 .Quick Bio: Chris McCausland
Notes on verification: Height could not be confirmed through authoritative sources and is therefore omitted. Net worth figure is a media estimate from 2021 and should be treated as approximate. Age varies slightly across sources depending on publication date; 49 is consistent with a 1977 birth year as reported by BBC .
McCausland’s path to this tour was unconventional. He lost his sight completely by his mid-twenties due to retinitis pigmentosa, a hereditary condition causing gradual retinal degeneration . He first picked up a microphone at age 26, shortly after coming to terms with his blindness . In a BBC interview, he explained that he deliberately avoided being pigeonholed as “the blind comedian,” fearing audiences would expect “20 minutes of blind jokes” .
Instead, he chose to address the elephant in the room immediately before moving on to regular material. “Making people forget, I think, is sometimes more powerful than reminding them all the time, in terms of normalising disability,” he told the BBC . That strategy paid off, helping him build a loyal following on the UK comedy circuit long before television fame arrived.
His profile expanded dramatically after Strictly Come Dancing 2024. Partnered with professional dancer Dianne Buswell, McCausland was the bookmakers’ favourite and ultimately won the public vote in the final . One of their routines featured a “blackout moment” designed to simulate his experience of blindness, a sequence that went viral on social media . After the win, he dedicated the trophy to “everyone out there who’s got told they couldn’t do something” .
The victory introduced him to a new audience, a shift he acknowledges on stage. According to Outline Magazine, he now opens his tour shows by joking that although he has been in comedy for 22 years, most people know him best for dancing . He has also spoken about the gruelling preparation for Strictly, mentioning over 500 hours of training across four months, which he says makes sitting on a stool and talking for two hours feel effortless by comparison .
For those considering tickets, the reception has been strong. Ticketmaster shows a user rating of 4.8 out of 5 based on dozens of reviews, with attendees describing the show as “fabulous” and “worth every penny” . The tour represents a rare chance to see a comedian whose career has spanned more than two decades, now performing at the peak of his powers with a fresh perspective and a much larger audience.
Q: What is the Chris McCausland tour called and what is the show about?
The tour is titled “Yonks!” and is described by promoters as a masterclass in stand-up comedy that has been “yonks in the making” . A review from the Cambs Times notes that McCausland admits the show has “no theme, just the random thoughts in his head,” covering topics like family, modern life, and everyday observations . The Guardian characterizes it as a return to his stand-up roots after Strictly Come Dancing, blending childhood stories with observational humor .
Q: What are the verified dates and venues for the 2026 tour?
Confirmed dates span from March to May 2026. Key performances include Stevenage on April 10, Liverpool on April 11, Folkestone on April 17, Ipswich on April 23, Dublin on May 2, London Palladium on May 15, and York on May 17 . Additional shows are scheduled in Birmingham, Plymouth, Eastbourne, Guildford, and Hull .
Q: How long is the show and is there an age restriction?
The performance length varies by venue. Some listings state approximately 90 minutes with no interval . However, the Grand Opera House York listing indicates the show includes an interval . Age guidance is generally 16+, as specified by ATG Tickets for multiple venues .
Q: What do reviews say about the “Yonks!” tour?
Reviews have been strongly positive. The Cambs Times awarded it five out of five stars, calling it “a masterclass in live comedy” and praising McCausland’s flawless timing . The Guardian highlighted his “mischievous” stage persona and noted that his disability is “never centre-stage,” used only to enhance jokes rather than define the performance .
Q: How can I get tickets for the Chris McCausland tour?
Tickets are available through official vendors including Ticketmaster, ATG Tickets, and Live Nation . Given the tour’s strong reception and his heightened profile following Strictly Come Dancing 2024, availability may be limited for certain venues. Checking directly with the official ticketing platforms is recommended for real-time availability.
