Strictly Come Dancing contestant Graeme Hall has revealed he was previously forced to quit dancing after doctors discovered a hole in his heart. The 59-year-old TV star received the diagnosis after suffering a stroke and being rushed to hospital.
Graeme, a dog trainer on Channel 5's Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly, feared he would never dance again but is now thrilled to be taking part in the 2026 season of the BBC contest. He got a taste for dance after an amateur competition over a decade ago and competed regionally before his health emergency ended his hobby.
Stroke and surgery
Speaking ahead of the new season, Graeme told The Sun: "I’d done a local competition called Strictly Northampton in 2012 and loved it so much that I carried it on as a hobby. I started taking part in regional events in church halls and community centres but I had to give up because I had a stroke in 2019."
Doctors found a hole in his heart, which was quickly operated on. He added: "I was out of action for quite a while and I thought it had brought an end to my dancing. I’m fine now but I had to put my dance bag away — now I’ve got it out of the loft and there’s all my kit and practice trousers so I will be using those soon. But if you’d told me in 2019 that I was going to be taking part in the show I would have dismissed you as a fantasist."
Joining the 2026 cast
His casting was announced earlier this month. He declared: "I can't believe I am joining the cast of Strictly for 2026. I have always loved dancing, so to have the opportunity to learn from the best in the business is a dream come true. I have watched the show for years, so to be a part of it feels like a very exciting challenge, albeit more than a bit nerve-wracking! I can't wait to get started. Bring it on."
He joins a varied cast including Australian pop sensation Delta Goodrem, hairdresser Chris Appleton, EastEnders icon Lacey Turner, House of the Dragon actress Bethany Antonia, Big Brother presenter Will Best, Emmerdale actor Lawrence Robb, and footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips.
New hosts and judges
Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly have been replaced by Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe. Emma said: "To be stepping into the Strictly ballroom is something I can't quite comprehend." Josh added he was "giddy with excitement, honoured and a little overawed to be given the chance to step into the biggest shoes in television". Johannes said returning as a presenter was "beyond anything I ever imagined".
Judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood have all been confirmed as returning. The 2026 season is expected to begin airing in September.
