No-one mentioned the ongoing BBC probe and the inevitable shadow it cast over Saturday evening’s Strictly Come Dancing launch.

But new contestant Chris McCausland used it as an unlikely platform to reference Britain’s floundering National Health Service and the ongoing battle to secure a face-to-face doctors appointment.

The blind comic is among fifteen new celebrities taking part in the twenty-second series of the long-running show, which is currently under investigation amid claims of behind-the-scenes misconduct.

But while the chaos sparked by former contestant Amanda Abbington and her allegations of backstage bullying were swept aside on Saturday, McCausland, 47, aimed a dig at fellow competitor Dr. Punam Krishnan.

Krishnan, 41, a locum practitioner and former BBC Scotland presenter, was discussing her hectic work schedule with show presenter Tess Daly after being paired with professional dancer Gorka Marquez, when McCausland stepped in.

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Chris McCausland has used Strictly Come Dancing as an unlikely platform to reference Britain’s National Health Service and the ongoing battle to secure a face-to-face doctors appointment

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McCausland aimed a dig at fellow competitor Dr. Punam Krishnan as their professional dance partners were unveiled during Saturday evening’s launch show

‘Dr. Punam! You are going to be continuing your work as a GP whilst doing Strictly,’ Daly said.’So I imagine you’ve got to be a bit creative with the old multi-tasking.’

‘I’ve got to be!’ she replied. ‘The days are very long and I’m a very literal student.’

Showing off her high-heeled ballroom shoes, Krishnan, whose main focus is podiatry, added: ‘Yes, it’s all about the feet now. So over the years, the only thing I’ve heard is about blisters and blisters getting in the way of dancing.

‘So cream, plasters, you name it, I’ve got it and if it all works I might share.’

The admission prompted McCausland to quip: ‘Punam, can I just say that none of us can believe we’ve managed to get in the same room as a GP.’

The remark prompted a mixture of laughs and gasps, with TV personality Pete Wicks open-mouthed at the comedian’s light-hearted jibe.

However the apparent joke went down well online, with viewers praising the comedian, who was paired with Australian dancer Dianne Buswell, for his honesty.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, one approving viewer wrote: ‘I was just waiting for someone to make a joke/comment about seeing a GP.. yes Chris.’

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Krishnan, a locum practitioner, was discussing her hectic work schedule with show presenter Tess Daly after being paired with Gorka Marquez , when McCausland stepped in

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Punam, can I just say that none of us can believe we’ve managed to get in the same room as a GP, he said as professional dance partner Dianne Buswell looked on

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The apparent joke went down well online, with viewers praising the comedian, who was paired with Australian dancer Dianne Buswell, for his honesty

While a second added: ‘Chris on fire with the GP joke.’

Elsewhere a third wrote: ‘Chris with his being in the same room as a GP comment. He’s just won #Strictly.’

Evidently in agreement, a fourth quipped: ‘@chrismccausland has already won. @TessDaly and @ClaudiaWinkle had better watch out, I think next year’s presenting gig is definitely on the line.’

After a year plagued by scandal amid an ongoing BBC misconduct investigation, the show returned with all the bells and whistles on Saturday night as loyal viewers tuned in.

Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday September 21 on BBC1.  

Strictly Come Dancing 2024: Who are the couples?

Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell 

 JB Gill and Amy Dowden MBE 

Nick Knowles and Luba Mushtuk 

Paul Merson and Karen Hauer 

Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystał

Sam Quek MBE and Nikita Kuzmin 

Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola 

Toyah Willcox and Neil Jones

Punam Krishan and Gorka Márquez 

Wynne Evans and Katya Jones

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Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec 

Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas

Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe 

Tom Dean MBE and Nadiya Bychkova

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 Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu

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Source: Los Angeles Times (edited)