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Strictly contestant Graeme 'The Dogfather' Hall has revealed he is viewing the show as his dance comeback after being forced to quit his passion seven years ago after suffering a stroke.
The TV presenter and dog trainer, 59, is one of 15 celebs competing in the 2026 series of the BBC show, and like many others before him, he has some experience on the dancefloor.
Graeme found a love for dance a decade ago when he took part in an amateur competition called Strictly Northampton in 2012 and went on to compete regionally.
But his hobby was cut short when doctors discovered a hole in his heart after he was rushed to hospital in 2019 after suffering a stroke.
Speaking ahead of Strictly's launch night on September 19, Graeme explained: 'I love dancing. I did a little dancing as a hobby years ago, but had to stop when I had a stroke. I recovered fully after a heart operation, but I haven’t danced for years.'
The 'apprehensive' star added that he is 'most nervous of the nerves themselves', as he returns to the dancefloor.
Strictly contestant Graeme 'The Dogfather' Hall has revealed he is viewing the show as his dance comeback after being forced to quit his passion seven years ago after suffering a stroke
The TV presenter and dog trainer, 59, is one of 15 celebs competing in the 2026 series of the BBC show, and like many others before him, he has some experience on the dancefloor
'I’m a bit of a perfectionist. "If a job’s worth doing it’s worth doing right" is something I say a lot and I’ll work hard to get it right but there’s no accounting for stage fright. Strictly is way out of my comfort zone.'
Graeme has been getting some valuable tips from his pal and fellow Yorkshireman, chef James Martin, who he admits 'laughed his head off when he heard'.
'“You have no idea what you’re letting yourself in for!” he said. James made the semi-final in 2005, which is something he was quick to remind me of. The gauntlet has been thrown down.'
The person he is desperate to impress though is his 90-year-old mum who met his late dad on the dancefloor in the late 1950s.
Graeme is best known as the presenter of Channel 5’s hit show Dog’s Behaving (Very) Badly, which has run for almost a decade.
He also fronted the heartwarming The Dog Hospital with Graeme Hall, is a regular contributor to ITV’s This Morning and BBC radio, and last year even made a cameo in the hit drama All Creatures Great and Small.
Graeme is an author of three adult books, including the Sunday Times Best-seller All Dogs Great and Small.
His first children’s book The Ultimate Kid’s Guide to Dog’s was published in July 2024 and was shortlisted for the The Junior Book Awards 2025.
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC iPlayer and BBC One at 7.25pm on Saturday, September 19.
English (US) ·