Strictly's Graeme Hall believed 'dancing days were over' after suffering life-threatening stroke

Strictly Come Dancing’s Graeme Hall revealed that he thought his “dancing days were over” after suffering a stroke in 2019.The Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly star discovered he had a love for dancing and started competing in local competitions in 2012.However, he had to stop when he suffered a stroke caused by a hole in the heart.For use in UK, Ireland or Benelux countries only BBC handout photo of Graeme Hall and Lauren Oakley, during their appearance on the live show on Saturday for BBC1's Strictly Come Dancing. Picture date: Saturday November 7, 2026.PASpeaking to The Standard, the presenter said: “It all came to an end then.“Until Strictly, I hadn’t danced at all. I thought my dancing days were over and that was it.“But here I am!” he beamed.On Saturday’s episode of the hit BBC show, the 59-year-old and his partner Lauren Oakley performed their Couple’s Choice routine to The Book of Love by Peter Gabriel.Graeme ‘The Dogfather’ Hall has joined Strictly Come Dancing (BBC/PA)The performance, which earned them a combined score of 28, was dedicated to “hope” after Hall's personal experience of surviving a stroke.In a VT ahead of the routine, Hall explained that he was watching TV when he heard a “buzzing” in his ear. When he went to stand up, he fell over and was rushed to hospital.For use in UK, Ireland or Benelux countries only BBC handout photo of Graeme Hall & Lauren Oakley during the live show for the BBC1 dance competition, Strictly Come Dancing. Picture date: Saturday September 26, 2026.PA"I had goosebumps at the end of that, so I can only imagine how you two are feeling because that was just so beautiful, Graham," Widdicombe told the star.Speaking to Johannes Radebe minutes later, he reflected on the moving routine: “Well when you dance something like that, it’s really hard to describe the feeling. “It’s just uplifting and my hope is that it uplifts a few other people.”Hall told The Standard that he views every day in his Strictly experience as “another day in paradise” as he relives his passion of dancing once more.“I’m living the dream every day.”