Strictly Come Dancing announces Graeme 'The Dogfather' Hall as 11th contestant

Graeme Hall, widely known as "The Dogfather," has been named the 11th contestant for the upcoming season of Strictly Come Dancing, set to air in September 2026. The announcement marks his transition from hosting segments on ITV's This Morning, where he frequently discusses dog care, to stepping onto the glittering dancefloor of the BBC's popular Saturday night show. Hall expressed his excitement upon learning of his inclusion in the lineup. In a recent statement, he said he could hardly believe he would be joining the cast of Strictly for the 2026 season. He admitted he had long admired the show and viewed the opportunity to learn from top professionals as a "dream come true." Despite his enthusiasm, he acknowledged the nerves that accompany such a high-profile challenge, saying it felt both thrilling and daunting. The addition of Hall follows the confirmation of another notable name: Shaun Wright-Phillips, a former football player who represented both Manchester City and England. Wright-Phillips described dancing as something deeply rooted in his family traditions, but noted that participating in Strictly would be a step beyond his usual comfort zone. Nevertheless, he expressed eagerness to embrace the challenge. Alongside these two newcomers, the Strictly lineup includes a diverse array of celebrities. Among them is Bethany Antonia, known for her role in House of the Dragon. She shared her disbelief at being selected for the show, recalling how she had grown up watching it and was thrilled to finally take part. Other participants include Jaime Winstone, who portrayed Barbara Windsor in the BBC biopic Babs, and Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey, who was born without her left hand. Storey mentioned she was participating partly for her daughter, Louisa, who is an accomplished dancer. Will Best, a presenter known for co-hosting Big Brother with former Strictly star AJ Odudu, described joining Strictly as a "dream" and emphasized his lack of prior experience in dance. He looked forward to embracing the challenges ahead, including mastering quickstep routines and enjoying the spectacle of the dancefloor. Other confirmed contestants include EastEnders star Lacey Turner, pop singer Delta Goodrem, Love Island winner Cach Mercer, Kim Kardashian's hairdresser Chris Appleport, and model Dani Dyer. Notably, former contestant Caroline Flack, who suffered an injury during rehearsals last year, is returning to the show this time around, replacing West End performer Amber Davies. The current season promises to be distinct due to changes among the professional dancers. Several established pros, including Gorka Marquez, Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova, Michelle Tsiakkas, and Luba Mushtuk, have left the show. Johannes Radebe, who was a professional dancer last year, has remained with the program but will assume a new role as one of the presenters. With the lineup now finalized, anticipation builds for the start of the season, which will feature a mix of familiar faces and fresh talent, each bringing their unique experiences and challenges to the dancefloor.