Overview
- Strictly announced Graeme Hall as the 11th contestant on Wednesday, August 5, completing the current lineup ahead of the show’s return in September.
- Hall, a TV presenter and dog trainer known as “The Dogfather,” said he is thrilled to join the series and called learning to dance a “dream come true.”
- The confirmed celebrity roster now includes Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Will Best, Dame Sarah Storey, Jaime Winstone, Bethany Antonia and Shaun Wright‑Phillips alongside Hall.
- The 2026 series will feature a reworked presenting team and pro roster, with Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe replacing Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman and five new professional dancers joining the show.
- Social media users have questioned the cast’s star power and commentators point to BBC budget cuts and rival formats such as The Celebrity Traitors that offer shorter commitments as reasons some high‑profile names may be choosing other shows.