Keep Laughing: The Biography

by Chris McCausland

From a life in comedy to the Glitterball Trophy – Chris McCausland Tells All.


'The thing about Chris is that he's funnier than everybody else' RICHARD OSMAN

'Oh my God, so funny, so nostalgic. I loved it!’ ALAN CARR
--

Already one of the country's best loved comedians, Chris McCausland's participation on Strictly was a phenomenon. But how did the boy from Liverpool end up winning the hearts of the nation?

This is his remarkable story, of a twenty-five-year journey through sight loss to blindness. Of the highs, the lows and the downright hilarious along the way.

From being a lowlife conker dealer, and running his very own bootlegging empire (kind of) . . . to almost becoming a spy for MI5 (really) . . .

And of how he dared himself to try stand-up comedy, and ended up being brilliant on all your favourite TV shows.

Before, of course, he surprised himself, as well as everybody else, when he tried dancing on live TV in front of millions.

Warm, honest, insightful and laugh-out-loud funny, this is the most likeable, cheering and uplifting book of the year!

Genres: Audiobook, Nonfiction, Biography, Autobiography, Memoir, Comedy, Humor

Kindle Edition

Published October 9, 2025

Reviews

[Marije · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very entertaining, funny and inspiring. Loved the little additions Chris made when reading the audiobook

[Victoria White · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this! Listened to the audiobook which was Chris reading so that was great.
A really positive book. Great to hear about his experiences being blind and about making it in stand up.

[Kalwinder Dhindsa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always liked Chris McCausland. I remember the first time I ever saw him on screen. On a BBC episode of Moving On called Blind. I thought he was brilliant in that role and never forgot the story nor his performance.

I also admired what he brought to the Channel 4 Scared of the Dark series.

He has always been someone who has never taken a backwards step. To challenge himself and show what he is truly capable of. Irrelevant of his blindness.

A proper champion.

[Keith Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is all of what Chris is - funny, vulnerable, thoughtful and thought provoking , in all outstanding and inspiring

[Nicola Mackenzie-Smaller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny, and sheds light on the Strictly experience if that’s the kind of thing you love!

[Austen Denning · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can be blind and read

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yep. Audiobook book was equally hilarious and tear jerking.

[Bryony Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a strictly fan but was impressed seeing Chris’s performances when they went viral. A really enjoyable and insightful listen discussing sight loss and the challenges of getting into comedy professionally.

[David Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not really a strictly fan so didn't even see Chris' performances and I was expecting the book to be more Strictly heavy but to be fair he doesn't talk about it properly until 370 pages in! What a fantastic journey this Scouse comedian has been on, degenerative blindness meant he had some vision which worsened until the age of 22 but he talks about his hilarious tales that this got him in some sticky situations as he was reluctant to admit how bad it had become. Completed a degree in computing before deciding to have a go at stand up comedy and has done hundreds of performances with his first TV appearance being Live at the Apollo back in January 2018. A fellow Liverpool fan who talks about the difficulties raising his daughter from struggling to reading her a story to having to take 300 photos of her ice skating just to hope there's a decent picture. This story really makes you appreciate of all you have and just how much we take little things for granted. Very humourous which you'd expect but educational too.

[A.M. Swink · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an insanely funny, immensely entertaining, and deeply moving memoir. McCausland relates his gradual sight loss through a series of hilarious vignettes throughout his life (all of which would be perfect WILTY fodder) that had me snorting with laughter.

There is no ‘pity me’ stuff here when it comes to relating his disability. Rather, Chris charts how he grows into his own skin and flourished once he fully embraces his blindness. There’s plenty to love here about rising through the stand-up circuit ranks, his television and radio work, and, of course, his Strictly journey. The book remains funny throughout but does end on an emotionally poignant note without crossing into maudlin territory.

A top-notch comedy and entertainment memoir. It will make you laugh, and there’s a lot to inspire fellow folks with sight impairments or other disabilities. Highly recommended!

[Brian Harris · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this a real mix of a book. On the one hand there is no doubt that the writer's life journey from going progressively blind, a career in stand up comedy and his success in Strictly Come Dancing against all the odds are inspiring ; however, despite Chris being a comedian I found the book very unfunny . I did not like the style of writing or the regular repetition of what were pretty jokes . Disappointing.

[Michael Rumney · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author tales us through his life. How he gradually loses his sight as he goes through education, employment, stand up, TV work which reaches its peak wuth him winning Strickly Come Dancing. This was a surprise as I have never watched the show.
The message the author gives is positivity towards disability in that a disabled person can do meaningful things if givern the opportunity, tools and encouragement wothout being condescending.
A humerous book that is full of hope.

[morag Sarkar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading his book -he writes with wit, with wisdom , with heart felt pride over his achievements.
He cries at the end when he Becomes the Fisrt contestant with a Visual Impairment to win Strickly Come Dancing .
He won on merit ,sheer hard work and strong determination to show to himself he could do it.
If you think your beaten -get up off the floor and show yourself something good .

[Bill Boswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chris tells of growing up with losing his eyesight, the antics and friends he made during the childhood period which stood him up to be the stand up that is loved today, he always is positive about the loss of eyesight and the book is never depressing as he is always so positive, telling of living on almost no money before taking a chance at an open mic night andnot looking back

A really great read

[Debbie Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was absolutely hilarious and inspiring! The way he shared his journey into blindness was so engaging. Seriously, it's mind-blowing to see all the incredible things he's achieved. He makes it all seem so natural and uplifting. Definitely a must-read if you need a good laugh and some motivation.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chris McCausland is a delightful human. I love watching him on Would I Lie to You, and it was so fun to hear him reading his own story. I'll admit I didn't listen to the entire thing, but that was solely because it had a little too much swearing for my sensitive ears. But other than that, I would highly recommend it!

[Samantha Main · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a fantastic read, Chris is a wonderful man and thus book was so eloquently written, it was a really emotional read, I cried several times especially at the end, he was Amazing on strictly and reading about it was such a pleasure, what a beautiful book, one of the best top 3 books I have ever read, Thank you Chrus for sharing x

[M-n · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am quoting someone else who summed it up.
'This was absolutely hilarious and inspiring! The way he shared his journey into blindness was so engaging. Seriously, it's mind-blowing to see all the incredible things he's achieved. He makes it all seem so natural and uplifting. Definitely a must-read if you need a good laugh and some motivation.'
thanks Debbie

[M E Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honest, funny, and interesting. Great insight into Chris’ life from childhood and dealing with going blind, through to forging a standup career and winning strictly. What an inspirational guy. I did not actually know he started in standup before his starring role in Me Too. He will always be Rudi the market seller / Jack’s dad to me.

[Janine Howson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blooming brilliant autobiography - funny, emotional and really well written

Blooming brilliant autobiography - funny, emotional and really well written, giving the reader an insight into life as a standup comedian and blindness. Highly recommend.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read and an insight into how Chris has tackled dealing with his blindness and how he overcame many issues into his successful career as a stand up comedian and of course his journey on Strictly Come Dancing.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very glad I listened to this. I already respected Chris, but have a new found higher respect for him after listening to this. Definitely recommend reading if you're a fan of Chris, comedy or Strictly.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chris is so undeniably funny but I was blown away by his ability to talk about the importance of representation and diversity in media. I expected to laugh listening to his audiobook narration (which is brilliant) but I didn't expect to tear up as much as I did as well.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this as an audiobook and although it isn’t written as a self help book, you can’t help but come away from this book feeling really inspired.

Really funny stories and a great insight to the life of a stand up comedian. Absolutely recommended to any stand up comedy fans.

[Susan Burns · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the perfect mix of Chris's early childhood and explaining how he got into comedy and then an overview of his time in Strictly. There was no exciting reveals but was an easy read and particularly since I knew the places in Liverpool he talked about.

[Hilary Cockshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook

[Emily Jolliffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Equal parts hilarious, inspirational and emotional

[Claire Mander · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laugh out loud funny in places and generally very inspiring

[Julie Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny book from a funny guy. all about his life leading up to his stand-up and culminating in his Strictly win.

[Jess Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both funny and moving, Chris’s approach to life it’s utterly inspirational and I enjoyed every second of this book