Channel 4’s 2024 alternative Christmas message will be delivered by comedian Chris McCausland, calling for an end to discrimination against disabled people.
McCausland won Strictly Come Dancing earlier this month, being the first blind person to do so. Now, he will provide an alternative to the monarch’s annual televised Christmas address, which was first initiated in 1993.
The speech will begin with a metaphor about McCausland’s love for mince pies. “I don’t care if they’re the posh ones or the cheap ones, I don’t care if they’re the big ones or those tiny little dinky ones, whether it’s got a solid top or a lattice crown,” he will say.
“I will never discriminate against any sort of mince pie, all of them are equal to me and will no doubt meet the same undignified end as I try and fit it all in my mouth in one go.”
During the speech, McCausland will appeal for more resources to be given to the government’s access to work scheme, which supports people with a disability or health condition so they can return to employment.
The scheme currently has a huge backlog.
McCausland will also reference government statistics regarding the disability employment rate. In the second quarter of 2024, the disability employment rate was 53%, compared with 81.6% for non-disabled people.
“Is that discrimination? Well, I would argue it is, so let’s try and fix it, eh? I think the government can commit to something better than what they already do,” McCausland will say.
In previous years, the message has been delivered by a range of figures, including Jesse Jackson, Jamie Oliver, Katie Piper, Adam Hills, Edward Snowden, and Tom Daley.
The alternative Christmas message will air on Channel 4 at 4:50pm on Christmas Day.