BBC Strictly Come Dancing fans teary-eyed after Chris McCausland's emotional routine

Strictly Come Dancing's latest episode ended with a powerful moment that left the audience and judges visibly moved, following Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell's stirring performance.

The competition was fierce on Saturday, November 9, as every couple pulled out all the stops, hoping to secure their place in the much-anticipated Blackpool week.

But it was the final act of the evening that truly captivated viewers as blind comedian Chris McCausland and his dance partner Dianne Buswell chose a Couple's Choice routine set to John Lennon's "Instant Karma! (We All Shine On)", dressed in striking white tuxedos and top hats.

In a poignant twist, the performance featured a blackout, simulating Chris's experience and challenging him to dance in complete darkness as the music played on.

Overwhelmed by the emotional display, fans took to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, to express their awe and support for the duo.

One viewer posted: "Omg #StrictlyComeDancing tears again tonight. Chris and Diane, you are simply amazing."

Another shared their heartfelt reaction: "Switching the lights off in the studio so we can all know what it feels like to be the AMAZING Chris McCausland for a few seconds, that was extremely poignant and emotional."

One viewer remarked, "every week I'm in tears", while another drew parallels to deaf champion Rose Ayling-Ellis' unforgettable performance in 2021 when the music abruptly ceased.

They wrote: "I hope Chris and Dianne get the same response as Rose and her silent moment... That blackout was incredible!"

It wasn't just the viewers at home who were moved by Chris and Dianne's performance; judge Shirley Ballas was visibly emotional, praising him for never missing a beat.

She went on to say: "You have no fear, you come out every week with your heart on your sleeve and you give us 100% of what you're capable of and in my book, that's a winner."

When it came to the crucial scores, Chris and Dianne received a respectable 33 points from the judges, placing him mid-table on the leaderboard.

The question remains, will the pair manage to dodge this week's dance-off and progress to the next round, propelling them into Blackpool Week?

Strictly Come Dancing continues every Saturday on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.