Strictly favourite Chris McCausland is ‘falling apart’ due to illness ahead of this weekend

Strictly Come Dancing fan-favourite Chris McCausland has revealed he’s ‘falling apart’ ahead of Saturday’s show after being struck down with a cold.

The comedian-turned-dance-extraordinaire, 47, has been one of the stand-out performers of this year’s competition, impressing the judges week by week.

Chris and dance partner Dianne Buswell have averaged an impressive score of 27 from judges Craig, Motsi, Shirley, and Anton after three terrific dances.

But his future in the competition has faced its toughest test yet this week as the TV funny man has battled the mother of all colds ahead of dance number four.

In a video posted to Instagram, Chris and Dianne updated fans on how things had been going over the past few days as they rehearse ahead of Saturday’s live show.

Chris said: ‘I’ve had a cold. I’m falling apart, but I’m motoring on because I’m a soldier. But we’re getting through the dance with the song, all the way through, occasionally better than where it was yesterday.’

Dianne joked that over-egging things might well be Chris’ forte: ‘Before I even arrived here [for training] you messaged me: “Oh Di. My throat, my nose, my wrist, my big toe…’

Chris shot back however, revealing he was just giving his training partner a warning about his cold, saying: “I was being considerate. I was just to let you know I’ve got a bug.’

He continued, joking about precautions Dianne might want to take: ‘My throat’s a bit sore, my nose is bunged up, just letting you know in case you want to wear a helmet.’

The pair have been preparing to dance a salsa on Strictly, and during an appearance on spin-off show It Takes Two, Chris confessed they are both covered in bruises because the dance involves a lot of lifts.

He said: ‘It’s been intense. There has been more lifts in it than Canary Wharf. There’s tricks and lifts – we’re both covered in bruises. Dianne’s had to use make-up to cover up all over her legs so it doesn’t look like I’ve been beating her up.’

With the stand-up star describing preparation for week four as ‘full on,’ and with his cold symptoms in mind, this Saturday could be the most decisive yet for Chris and Dianne.

So far, the Would I Lie to You? star – who lost his sight aged 22 – has wowed the judges and the public at home, with his Wayne’s World-inspired jive sending him through to week four.

The first blind contestant in Strictly history had fans calling him ‘unbelievable’ during the routine, which saw him and Dianne dress up as the characters from the iconic 1992 comedy.

One X user, @TVqueertiques, had them down as champions already, writing: ‘Chris and Dianne make me so emotional every week, watching them is such a joy! The winners already.’