The low drum roll of discontent began earlier this year, with actor Amanda Abbington complaining about bad treatment (denied) by her 2023 dancing partner Giovanni Pernice. The BBC’s internal investigation concluded in September, upholding some, but not all, of the complaints made by Abbington, somewhat taking the gloss off the new series in its all-important 20th anniversary year.

Those drums grew louder with the abrupt departure of another dancer, Graziano Di Prima, after allegations of misconduct (also denied). Throw in Paralympian Will Bayley’s complaint that he was left in “horrific” pain after appearing on Strictly in 2019, and suddenly the show was in serious trouble. Would audiences still tune in for the “journeys” now they suspected those travelling carried so much baggage?

Never let it be said that Smart TV doesn’t bring you prophecy from high on the telly mountain. Speaking on BBC local radio in August, I said: “The BBC will be hoping for no more scandals, and that this series can conjure up some good news stories in their stead.” It was hardly the most Galilean of observations, granted, so I can’t take all the credit, but clearly somebody was listening.

Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Surprisingly perhaps, I don’t mean babe-magnet boulevardier Pete Wicks – or to give the reality TV star his proper title, Pete and his Pink PVC Trousers. I’m not sure he ever deserved the glitterball, but give that man an Oscar for his “surprised” Kermit gulp when his presumably female, clearly ardent, fanbase rescued him from the dance-off.

Chris’s week eight dance was the moment of this and any series

Instead, I refer to comedian Chris McCausland, a contestant the like of whom we have never seen before. There have previously been celebrities with disabilities, including injured veteran JJ Chalmers and Paralympians Jonnie Peacock and Lauren Steadman. Gifted communicators include EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis, who invited us into her world without hearing and went on to win the 2021 series; this year Tasha Ghouri, who was born deaf, looks set to waltz into the final. And there have been charming surprises like Bill Bailey, who refused to conform to expectation that he be the pantomime horse of 2020, and instead waltzed off with the series.

McCausland, blind since he was 22, is all three. He said at the start, “I don’t know what I’m getting myself into, I’ve never watched it.” He began the series sharing the audience vote with Pink PVC Pete, viewers impressed by his enthusiasm and mischief. Then something unexpected happened: unlike Wicks, he learned to dance.

McCausland described all the innovative ways his partner Dianne Buswell taught him, and we saw the fruits of their efforts in one remarkable moment in week eight when, dancing their Couple’s Choice to John Lennon’s Instant Karma! (We All Shine On), he took us into his world with seconds of studio blackout. As the lights returned, we saw him, smiling, twirling Buswell in his arms. It was moving, euphoric and inspiring – the moment of this and any series.

For a few bemusing months, we imagined a TV landscape without Strictly. The ratings behemoth can’t go on for ever. The events of this series, on screen and off, have hopefully shaken the BBC out of any complacency. For now, producers can count their lucky stars that they booked Chris McCausland – this year’s winner, whoever gets to lift the still-glittering ball.