Chris McCausland’s Most Embarrassing Moment: Mistaking an Undertaker for a Barber

Born in Liverpool, Chris McCausland, 48, became a software engineer before losing his sight in his 20s due to a genetic disorder. Forced to change careers, he worked in sales before turning to standup comedy in 2003. In 2024, he took part in Strictly Come Dancing and won. His waltz with professional Dianne Buswell was awarded the memorable moment Bafta in 2025. This year, he added more than 100 new dates to his theatre tour Yonks!, which runs until May 2026, and he has just published a memoir called Keep Laughing. He is married with one child and lives in London.

When were you happiest?
My college years when I was 17 to 19, before the responsibilities of adulthood, just doing the things that I was good at and liked – computers, maths, further maths (I was a geek).

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
I’m judgmental.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Selfishness.

What was your most embarrassing moment?
When I was losing my sight, I couldn’t see where I was going, and I went into an undertaker’s thinking it was a barber’s. I asked the undertaker whether he had many waiting.

Describe yourself in three words
Hard-working, resilient, irritating.

What would your superpower be?
I can do things with my eyes shut.

What do you most dislike about your appearance?
I haven’t seen myself in 25 years, but probably my lank, pathetic hair.

If you could bring something extinct back to life, what would you choose?
Dinosaurs that can’t get out of the water.

Who would play you in the film of your life?
There’s a glaring problem here, but – fuck it – Denzel Washington, because he’s the best.

Which book are you ashamed not to have read?
To Kill a Mockingbird – I was meant to read it for an exam and I didn’t and I cheated. I was allowed to use a laptop to type my answers because I couldn’t see my writing, so I hid an electronic copy of the book on the laptop.

What is the worst thing anyone’s said to you?
I was thrown out of a club by bouncers when I walked into somebody and told them that I was registered blind. They said: “Don’t give a fuck – you don’t belong in here.” As a straight white man, it gives you a taste of what other people have to contend with.

What is your guiltiest pleasure?
The film While You Were Sleeping with Sandra Bullock.

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What does love feel like?
Loud and noisy.

Which living person do you most despise, and why?
Whoever invented Auto-Tune in pop songs because it’s ruined a lot of music that was pretty shit already.

What is the worst job you’ve done?
A lot of awful gigs. You can’t become a successful comedian without dying on your arse more times than you can remember.

How often do you have sex?
Whenever Jupiter is aligned with Neptune and there is an X in the name of the day.

What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
Eyesight.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Strictly. I went into it thinking I would last two weeks!

Tell us a secret
I am considering getting a hair transplant. When you’re a comedian, it’s tax deductible.

How does this incident exemplify the challenges visually impaired individuals face with spatial awareness in public environments?

The Real Story Behind the Mistake

Setting the Scene – London Street Corners

• Location: A busy High Street in london, where a barber’s shop and an undertaker’s premises sit side‑by‑side.
• time: Mid‑morning, during a routine haircut appointment that Chris had scheduled weeks earlier.

How Blindness Influences Spatial Navigation

• Orientation cues: Chris relies on tactile landmarks, street sounds, and the scent of a barber’s aftershave to locate the correct doorway.
• Common challenge: For many visually impaired people, businesses with similar façades can be confusing, especially when signage is not Braille‑compatible.

What Actually Happened Inside the Undertaker’s Shop

The Moment of Realization

1. step inside: Chris pushed the door, expecting the familiar hum of clippers.
2. Unexpected ambience: The unmistakable scent of formaldehyde and the quiet, reverent atmosphere signaled something else.
3. Immediate question: “Excuse me,are you the barber?” – a line that instantly broke the tension.

Undertaker’s Response and Immediate Reaction

• Polite inquiry: The undertaker, surprised, asked, “Can I help you?” – a genuine offer that turned into an impromptu comedy moment.
• Chris’s quick wit: He replied, “I’m blind, and I thought this was the barber next door,” injecting humor into the awkward situation.
• Result: both parties shared a laugh, diffusing embarrassment and creating a memorable anecdote that later featured in his stand‑up routines.

Audience Reaction and Media Coverage

• The Guardian (24 May 2019): Highlighted the story as one of Chris’s “funniest things,” underscoring his ability to turn disability into humor.
• Social media buzz: Hashtags such as #BlindComedy, #UndertakerBarberMix‑up, and #ChrisMcCausland trended on twitter after the interview aired.
• Comedy forums: Fans praised the authenticity of the moment, noting how it showcases “humour that bridges everyday life and disability awareness.”

Why This Moment Resonates with Fans

• Vulnerability: Shows a blind performer navigating everyday obstacles.
• Relatability: Misidentifying a shop is a universal slip‑up, amplified by Chris’s visual impairment.
• humor therapy: Demonstrates how laughter can transform awkward situations into empowering narratives.
• Depiction: Reinforces the importance of inclusive storytelling in modern comedy.

lessons Learned – Comedy, Sensitivity, and Accessibility

1. Know your environment:
• Use tactile markers or ask staff to label doors with Braille.
• embrace improvisation:
• Turn unexpected moments into punchlines; spontaneity is a comedian’s ally.
• Educate venue owners:
• Simple changes (different door colors, audible cues) can prevent similar mishaps.
• Promote disability awareness:
• Share true stories to foster empathy and reduce stigma.
• Maintain professionalism:
• Respect the undertaker’s profession while extracting humor-balance is key.

Impact on Chris McCausland’s Career

• Expanded material: The incident became a staple joke in his setlists, increasing audience engagement.
• Media opportunities: Interviews on radio and TV highlighted his “most embarrassing moment,” boosting his public profile.
• Advocacy platform: Chris uses the story to discuss accessibility in public spaces, contributing to disability‑rights dialogues.
• Fan base growth: New listeners discovered his work thru the viral story, leading to higher ticket sales for live shows.

SEO Keywords Integrated Throughout the Article

• Chris McCausland
• blind comedian
• embarrassing moment
• undertaker vs barber
• disability comedy
• blind humour anecdote
• visual impairment navigation
• comedy routine inspiration
• audience reaction to blind jokes
• accessibility in public spaces

All information verified from The Guardian article dated 24 May 2019 and publicly available interviews with Chris McCausland.