Comedian Chris McCausland has candidly discussed the profound impact his blindness has had on his marriage, revealing that his wife Patricia has stopped asking him certain intimate questions about her appearance.
The 48-year-old star, best known for his appearances on Live at the Apollo, Would I Lie to You?, and Strictly Come Dancing, details these personal challenges in his newly released memoir, Keep Laughing.
The Unseen Sacrifices of Marriage
Chris, who lost his sight in his early twenties due to a genetic condition, met Patricia Azure at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2005. Their relationship progressed quickly, and they married in 2012, building a life together while navigating his deteriorating vision.
Though their bond remains strong, Chris admits that Patricia has had to relinquish parts of a conventional married life. "Patricia's experience of being married to somebody who is blind means that, to some extent, there are parts of herself, or parts of a normal married life, that she has also had to relinquish to my blindness," he writes.
The Questions She No Longer Asks
The comedian explains that this sacrifice extends to the most ordinary moments between couples. Patricia, who is from Rio de Janeiro, cannot fully share the visual beauty of her homeland with him. More poignantly, she has stopped asking for his opinion when getting ready.
"She can't even ask me all those typical questions that wives ask husbands when getting ready to go out of an evening: 'Does my hair look okay?' 'Does this top match these shoes?' 'Does my bum look big in this?'" Chris reveals.
He adds with his characteristic humour, "What do I say to that? 'I don't know, sweetheart. Things do tend to feel bigger than they look.'"
Perhaps the most heartfelt admission concerns Patricia's appearance. "She used to ask me what I thought she looked like, but she doesn't ask me any more, because I never really had a satisfactory answer for her," Chris confesses.
He clarifies that while he has a mental impression of her face, it is not a detailed image he can describe. "I do know what she looks like, kind of, but it's not like a photograph in my mind that I can sit and describe in detail, even if I had the vocabulary to do so, which I don't."
A Marriage Built on Humour and Respect
Despite these undeniable struggles, the couple have forged a resilient partnership. Their marriage is characterised by humour, patience, and deep mutual respect.
Chris emphasises that Patricia's unwavering support has been fundamental to his success, from his early days as a circuit comic to becoming a household name. He credits her with providing the stable foundation that allowed his career to flourish.
Their story is a powerful testament to how love adapts, finding strength beyond the visual and building a shared life on what truly matters.
