Strictly Come Dancing contestant Graeme Hall has revealed that he stopped dancing for several years after suffering a stroke in 2019. The Channel 5 star, known as 'The Dogfather', is one of 15 famous faces taking part in the BBC competition, which is scheduled to begin next month.
Health scare ended dancing hobby
Speaking to The Sun, Graeme said: "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 later discovered that Graeme had a hole in his heart, which was promptly operated on. Due to his health crisis, Graeme feared he wouldn't dance again.
"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," he said.
Dream come true to join Strictly
Graeme is best known for presenting Channel 5's hit show Dog's Behaving (Very) Badly, which has run for almost a decade. He's also fronted The Dog Hospital with Graeme Hall and is a regular contributor to ITV's This Morning and BBC radio. He is an author of three adult books, including All Dogs Great and Small, and his first children's book The Ultimate Kid's Guide to Dogs was published in July 2024.
Previously speaking about joining Strictly, he said: "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!"
Dancing experience under scrutiny
Strictly viewers have been left unimpressed in the past with contestants who have dancing experience. Last year's cast featured Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope, who had dancing experience through his work on Billy Elliot the Musical and reaching the final of Sky's Got to Dance as a teenager with the dance crew Ruff Diamond.
Defending himself last year, Lewis said on Loose Women: "It's been a long time since I've danced, and I did, like, one show when I was 11, which was about 20 years ago."
Meanwhile, Graeme has teased that he fears that Strictly producers might even put him in a dog costume in a nod to his career. Finally back on the dancefloor, Graeme says the news 'hasn't really sunk in'.
