Stars to describe landmarks to blind comedian

Harry Hill, Tom Allen, Guz Khan and Liza Tarbuck are to take part in Chris McCausland’s new travel series, Chortle can reveal.

The show, provisionally titled The Wonders Of The World I Can't See, is due to air on Channel 4 early next year.

Because McCausland is blind, the twist is that each of his travelling companions must provide the stand-up with a humorous 'audio description' of their surroundings to try to prove there's more to visiting these places than just what they look like.

The show was first announced in July, but without details of his guests or locations. Now it can be revealed that he visits Jordan with Khan, Greece with Hill, the Niagara Falls with Tarbuck and Rome with Allen.

‘There's nothing funnier than Tom Allen trying to maintain his sartorial elegance in 40 degree heat,’ McCausland said in a new syndicated interview to promote his ongoing Speaky Blinder tour.

They are taking me to these places to prove to me that there's more going on there than staring at famous sights,’ he added.

‘We immerse ourselves in the culture and the history. I'm up for getting involved. I did a pottery class and learnt about Greek theatre with Harry in Greece.’

‘I couldn't have asked for better people. We could have gone to New Brighton with Liza Tarbuck and it would still be fun. I couldn't have asked for better people.’

McCausland also spoke about meeting Prince William last year when he appeared on The Royal Variety Performance.

‘It could not have gone better. I went on after these German fellas that balanced on top of each other. I'm stood in the wings waiting for my cue and all I could hear was music and 5,000 people losing their minds and screaming. I thought "how can I go on after this and just talk?" But it went really well.’

Afterwards, he joined the line-up to meet the royal guests: "You're given so many rules. Don't talk to them unless you're spoken to. Don't shake hands. Don't touch them. No selfies.

‘ And then Prince William just walks over and goes, "Hey Chris, it's the Duke. How's it going?" and slapped his hand into mine. He was very chilled out and relatable. It was like talking to a cousin you hadn't seen in 15 years at a wedding or something.’

• Chris McCausland's Speaky Blinder tour continues through to May. See our listings or visit  chrismccausland.com/tour/

Published: 2 Nov 2022