Strictly winner Chris McCausland lined up for new huge new BBC show as corporation hopes to keep star away from rivals

STRICTLY winner Chris McCausland is poised to bag a huge deal with the BBC to help boost their comedy shows.

Execs are determined to keep Chris with the corporation after he and his pro partner Dianne Buswell won the dance contest on Saturday.

A TV insider said: “What he did by keeping everyone in fits during the course of Strictly was show that he wasn’t just funny, but proved he had a traditional sense of humour that can connect with the ordinary viewers at home.

“That’s something which critics have said is lacking from many comedy series on the Beeb, and Chris could breathe new life into a genre which was once a mainstay for the corporation.”

The source added that Chris, 47, could also be used for general entertainment shows.

They said: “They are considering ways of him being reunited with pro partner Dianne as they had such a ­sensational chemistry together.”

Chris — the show’s first blind contestant — celebrated his success with pals, including former Strictly pro and TV presenter Janette Manrara, into the early hours of yesterday.

He has just written and starred in a Christmas movie for Sky, Bad Tidings, and earlier this year he hosted chat show The Chris McCausland Show on ITV1.

The BBC’s comedy output has come under fire from critics and viewers lately.