Wonders Of The World I Can’t See is a series that takes blind stand-up Chris McCausland across the globe to explore some of the world’s most iconic, unforgettable world landmarks, but in a new and unique way that discovers things the ordinary traveller might miss.
In each episode, reluctant traveller Chris is joined by a different celebrity guest – Tom Allen, Harry Hill, Guz Khan and Liza Tarbuck – as his travelling companions. As well as providing a humorous ‘audio description‘ of their surroundings for him, the celebrity companions do their best to prove to Chris that there’s much more to visiting these places than meets the eye. Will they manage to convince Chris that it was worth getting off his couch after all?
Who is Chris McCausland?
Chris McCausland is a 46-year-old blind stand-up comedian and actor originally from Liverpool but now living in South West London. He has been touring the comedy circuit for more than 15 years, recently finishing a 140-date stand-up tour across the UK.
Chris was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) as a child. His eyesight has deteriorated steadily throughout his whole life, with most of it going during his late teens.
As well as doing stand-up and appearing on numerous comedy panel shows, Chris recently took part in a new Channel 4 reality show Scared of the Dark, where eight celebrities survive eight days living in total darkness. The fact that Chris is blind means he was at an advantage over the other celebrities as he has spent his adult life unable to see and rely on his other senses.
Wonders Of The World I Can’t See
In episode one, Chris is joined by Harry Hill to explore the ancient capital city of Greece. We find out if Harry’s description of the iconic Acropolis does justice.They also try out Greek pottery, Greek theatre and even go out for a spot of fishing with Greek fishermen.
Episode two sees Chris and Tom Allen head to Rome in Italy to train as gladiators, make pasta and visit the Colleseum.
For episode three, Chris and Guz Khan visit the Middle East to ride camels and haggle money in Petra in Jordan.
In the fourth and final episode, Chris travels to Canada with Liza Tarbuck to admire the sounds and feelings of being near Niagra Falls.
Speaking to us about the series, Chris told us his favourite place to visit on his travels: “Niagara Falls was the best of the wonders, as it was the only one that made a noise. You didn’t just have to see it, you could feel it and hear it as well.
An important part of each trip was the celebrity guest describing everything around them to Chris. Chris shared his thoughts on each celebrity guest:
“They all had their own style, which I think lends a lovely quality to the series as a whole. It makes each episode feel very different. Harry was really great and natural, Tom was very flamboyant and verbose, Guz was enthusiastic and I think certainly the most street and cool of the bunch, and Liza was just legendary in so many ways!”
In terms of challenges and barriers while travelling and filming, Chris said: “We have tried to show the things that worked as well as the things that didn’t and to truthfully show the things that were worthwhile as well as the things that weren’t. I hope that this comes across in the show.”
When asked whether this series has encouraged Chris to travel more and explore more world landmarks, he said: “I enjoyed making the series and if I can make another four episodes with four more funny people then I would definitely be up for that. But I won’t be off anywhere on my own any time soon.”
The full series of Wonders Of The World I Can’t See is available to stream on Channel 4.
