Graeme Hall, known for his work as a canine trainer on Channel 5’s *Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly*, is set to make his debut on the dance floor in the latest series of *Strictly Come Dancing*. The 59-year-old, who has long admired the show, is preparing to perform a cha-cha routine to "Hound Dog" alongside professional dancer Lauren Oakley.

Hall’s journey to the popular BBC competition was nearly derailed by a serious health scare. Seven years ago, he suffered a stroke caused by an undiagnosed hole in his heart, a condition he had since birth. The defect allowed blood clots to pass into his brain, triggering the stroke. “I fell down and knew immediately what it was because a side of my face felt odd,” Hall recalled. After an MRI confirmed the stroke, he underwent surgery to repair the heart defect, followed by seven months of recovery. Thankfully, he has since made a full recovery.

Prior to the stroke, Hall had developed a passion for dancing, sparked during a 2012 charity event and nurtured through local dance classes and novice competitions. However, his training was interrupted in 2019 when the stroke occurred, forcing him to step away from dancing. Now fully recovered, he views his participation in *Strictly* as an opportunity to rekindle that passion and demonstrate resilience, noting, “You can teach an old dog new tricks.”

Standing at 6 feet 2 inches and based in Northamptonshire with his partner Nikki, Hall has embraced the physical demands of the show, losing over 10 kilograms through gym work earlier in 2026 and shedding a further 3.5 kilograms since commencing dance training with Oakley. Despite challenges, including mental blocks with particular dance steps, he remains optimistic about his progress and enjoys the process. “I catch myself in the mirror and think, ‘I look like a dancer,’” Hall said.

Known for his distinctive cravat style on television, Hall adapted his signature look for the dance floor by having the accessory sewn onto his shirt to prevent it from flying off during performances. He has also embraced the show’s makeup requirements, opting for a medium shade of fake tan.

Before transitioning into dog training, Hall spent 21 years working for Weetabix before taking redundancy in 2008. Since then, he has built a career specializing in training difficult dogs, a profession that has involved some personal risk. Hall recounted a severe bite injury sustained while working with a German shepherd, underscoring the challenges he faces. Despite this, his motivation remains helping dogs and their owners build better relationships.

As he embarks on this new chapter, Hall hopes his combination of charm and work ethic will resonate with the show’s judges and viewers alike. “If Anton said, ‘We’ve found a ballroom boy,’ I’d be over the moon,” he said. Looking ahead, Hall plans to teach some dance steps to Nikki, although he jokes that after *Strictly*, he may no longer qualify for beginner competitions.