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Strictly Come Dancing fans 'in tears' after Graeme Hall's dance routine dedicated to overcoming stroke

The star feared he would never be able to dance again after a stroke in 2019.

Graeme Hall and Lauren Oakley dance on Strictly Come Dancing 2026. They're spinning together with their arms out, and Lauren's dress is swept up in the spin

BBC/Guy Levy

Published: Saturday, 7 November 2026 at 8:59 pm

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Strictly Come Dancing's Graeme Hall moved viewers to tears with an emotional routine dedicated to "hope" after overcoming a stroke in 2019.

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The TV presenter, also known as The Dogfather, hit the dancefloor once again with pro partner Lauren Oakley for a slow performance to The Book Of Love by Peter Gabriel.

Prior to the performance, in a pre-recorded tape of their week in rehearsals, Graeme shared this routine had a special meaning for him, having recovered from a stroke that almost took his life.

As the routine came to an end, Graeme was seen visibly choked up and was consoled by Lauren as well as hosts Emma Willis and Josh Widdecombe before they moved to the judges' comments.

"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," Josh shared as he allowed the star to catch his breath.

Graeme Hall and Lauren Oakley on Strictly Come Dancing 2026. Lauren has her arms out, and is being guided by Graeme across the dancefloor. She is wearing a gold dress and he is wearing a grey waistcoat and trousers with a purple shirt.

Graeme Hall and Lauren Oakley on Strictly Come Dancing 2026 BBC/Guy Levy

The judges felt the same, praising the emotion of the dance – though noting it was still lacking in some technical elements, ultimately scoring him a total of 28 out of 40.

But viewers praised the dance, saying it left them in tears as they shared their thoughts on X (formerly Twitter).

"that dance was amazing. So emotional. I lost my Dad to a stroke so this hit me in the feels," wrote one, while another said. "FULL BODY GOOSEBUMPS GRAEME & LAUREN - that was AMAZING."

"I was so engrossed in Graeme’s dance I wasn’t ready for it to end! Give me another 30 seconds," noted a third.

"graeme 🥺🥺🥺 i was so emotional watching his couple’s choice," wrote a fourth.

A fifth added it felt close to home, and wrote:"As someone who watched a family member go through a stroke last year (though sadly their story didn't have a happy ending) I am in tears over here. That was absolutely beautiful and I am so, so happy that Graeme has recovered and is able to dance like this 🥹❤️‍🩹"

Graeme Hall and Lauren Oakley on Strictly Come Dancing 2026. The pair are mid-routine, with Lauren cuddled into Graeme's chest as they dance. She is wearing a gold dress and he is wearing a grey waistcoat and trousers with a purple shirt.

Graeme Hall and Lauren Oakley on Strictly Come Dancing 2026

In the pre-dance videotape, on a walk with Lauren and his sister, Graeme shared a lifelong love of dance, which he maintained as a hobby until he had his stroke.

"The third of February 2019 is a day that I'll never forget. I was watching a telly, I heard a strange buzzing in one ear, and then it went to the other. And I thought, what was that? Went to stand up and fell down. And I thought, 'I think this is a stroke'."

"It was really scary," his sister added. "We found out that he had a hole in the heart, and he needed an operation, and he needed it quickly. That's what caused the stroke."

Graeme was subsequently in recovery for a few months, but thankfully was able to make a full recovery.

"You realise that life is not a rehearsal. This isn't even the dress rehearsal. It's the real deal," he said.

"And I've had a couple of comments from the judges and the public saying, 'When you dance, you give it everything'. That's why."

Strictly Come Dancing airs Saturdays and Sundays on BBC One and iPlayer.

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Authors

Tilly PearceFreelance Writer

Tilly Pearce is a freelance TV journalist whose coverage ranges from reality shows like Love Is Blind to sci-fi shows like Fallout. She is an NCTJ Gold Standard accredited journalist, who has previously worked as Deputy TV Editor (maternity cover) at Digital Spy, and Deputy TV & Showbiz Editor at Daily Express US.

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