This year’s alternative Christmas message on Channel 4 will be an impassioned appeal by the comedian Chris McCausland calling for an end to discrimination against disabled people.
Earlier in the month McCausland became the first blind person to win Strictly Come Dancing while being hailed as a saviour of the troubled programme, and will now give the alternative to monarch’s annual televised address, which was first initiated in 1993.
He will say in the speech that disabled people are “often some of the most resilient, creative and determined people you will ever likely meet”.
The speech will begin with a metaphor about his love for mince pies and equality. “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 will say.
“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.”
McCausland will appeal for more resources to be given to the government’s access to work scheme, which gives support to people with a disability or health condition so they can return to employment. It currently has a huge backlog.
According to government statistics, the disability employment rate in the UK was 53% in the second quarter of 2024, compared with 81.6% for non-disabled people.
Referring to the figures, McCausland will say: “Is that discrimination? Well, I would argue it is, so let’s try and fix it, eh? I think the government can commit to something better than what they already do.”
The comedian, who has become a regular face on Have I Got News for You, told the Guardian after his Strictly victory that he found himself as a representative of marginalised groups.
“As well as being a comedian, I am – whether I like it or not – representative of another group of people, people who are blind, people with a disability and people who are underrepresented,” he said.
In previous years, the message has been delivered by a variety of presenters, including the actor and TV presenter Stephen Fry, whistleblower Edward Snowden, the former speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow, and actor Danny Dyer.
McCausland’s alternative Christmas message will air on Channel 4 at 4.50pm on Christmas Day.
