Strictly Come Dancing contestant Graeme Hall has revealed he had to fight back tears after an emotional Couple's Choice performance, which he dedicated to his recovery from a stroke he suffered in February 2019.
The star, known to fans as The Dogfather, had previously believed he would never dance again. He has since made a complete recovery and is now competing on the BBC show with professional partner Lauren Oakley.
Decision to Join Strictly
Speaking about his decision to take part in the programme, Hall said in an exclusive interview: "I didn't dance again after the stroke and I just thought that's something that I used to do and that part of life passed me by."
He added: "I've always watched Strictly and there was always the thought that was like, 'Oh, I wonder what it's like being on Strictly, wouldn't it be great?' So when the call came I thought about it for a 10th of a second before I said yes, I was always going to say yes."
Emotional Performance
During last weekend's live show, Hall spoke about his stroke and delivered a Couple's Choice routine that he wanted to symbolise hope. Reflecting on the performance, he said: "In terms of the kind of emotions that bring a tear to your eye, I had to struggle to keep it together at the end."
He continued: "It was just a beautiful dance. I've sometimes seen a dance on Strictly and I get a bit emotional. I'm the one in our house who's most likely to shed a tear at a rom-com... but to be dancing a dance that had the same effect on you, yeah, it was very emotional."
Hall noted that some dances bring different emotions, describing the Samba as "a proper show-off dance," but added: "in terms of lump in the throat emotions, nothing will ever top last Saturday."
Message of Hope
Hall has received an overwhelming response from supporters who have praised him as an inspiration. He said he joined Strictly "for my own reasons, just because I love the show and I love dancing but then I realised that people were getting in touch and saying - and I didn't see this coming - that the dancing inspires them and that it makes them happy and gives them hope."
He added: "I guess they see me dancing and think there is light at the end of the tunnel. So to be able to help other people doing something you love is just great. I really wanted to do that dance justice."
Hall also recalled receiving a message from a head teacher recovering from a stroke, who said watching him gives her hope. He said: "The message really is to keep going, there is hope. Not everybody sadly makes a full recovery like me, but there's always hope."
Strictly Come Dancing continues tonight at 6.25pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
